Dudas puts a hit on Matt Pierce in March 24th's playoff game between Corpus Christi and the Brahmas

What about Dudas?

Brahmas appear to hold his AA rights, but will he be on the 2010-11 roster?

So what's the story on second-year defenseman Jesse Dudas? I had the 6', 2", 215 pound defenseman on my early list of 2010-11 Brahmas prospects until I heard that he had signed a contract in late August with the American Hockey League's Adirondack Phantoms and would be attending the Philadelphia Flyers' training camp.

In a recent article on the CHL website about CHL players at AHL camps, Dudas was listed along with other signed members of the Brahmas, currently assigned to the Phantoms.

Jesse Dudas

Dudas, 22, split time last season between the Bloomington PrairieThunder (IHL) and the Corpus Christi IceRays. In a combined 24 games, he recorded 12 points (5 G, 7 A) and eight penalty minutes.

The St. Albert, Alberta native was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 6th (#159 overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He played six seasons of major junior hockey in the Western Hockey League for the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Prince George Cougars, Swift Current Broncos and Regina Pats registering 93 points (11 G, 82 A) and 238 penalty minutes. He played five games with the Charlotte Checkers (ECHL) at the end of the 2008-09 season.

Dudas was released from the Flyers training camp and returned to the Adirondack Phantoms (AHL) on September 26th. The Phantoms officially opened their training camp on Wednesday and Dudas saw action in their first two pre-season games against the Albany Devils on Friday (2-1 loss) and Saturday (4-2 loss). They play the Syracuse Crunch tonight.

Dudas (#32) during Friday night's game against Albany

Known primarily for his skating and abilities with the puck, Dudas is making a concerted effort to become a better defensive player in his quest to make it to the big show one day. He attended the Flyers prospect camp in July and apprently made enough of a showing to earn a contract with the Phantoms, although he isn't guaranteed a spot on their roster.

If Dudas is released from the Phantoms camp this week, will he report to the Brahmas? Looks like we'll have to wait and see.

Photo credits: Top/Robert Keith