Judy
helped Northeastern usher in a talented trio of freshman
defensemen last year.
Key
Statistics: Judy has never missed a game in three
years at Northeastern. His offensive numbers aren’t
staggering – in fact, they’ve declined from 22
points as a freshman to 18, then 12 last year – but
they don’t accurately measure his contributions.
What
He Does: It might be easier to chart what he doesn’t
do. Judy plays a role in every possible situation for the
Huskies, and it’s the little things that set him apart
– from blocking shots to making clean outlet passes.
The
Bigger Picture: How does a kid from Bowie, Maryland,
with a fairly slight 5-foot-10 build become a top defenseman
in Hockey East? “A lot of it is downright heart and
desire,” says head coach Bruce Crowder. He adds to that
solid hockey sense and terrific leadership – something
that was key a year ago on a team with three freshman defensemen.
Crowder thinks Judy learned the value of taking players under
his wing when he played with current pro Jim Fahey. It showed,
especially down the stretch last year. Judy and rookie Steve
Birnstill formed a formidable defense pair as the Huskies
made a push to the playoffs.
Northeastern
coach Brue Crowder on Judy: “Pound for pound
nobody competes the way he does, and that makes him a real
all-encompassing guy for us. For me I think his competitiveness
sets him apart. He brings that every time he steps on the
ice, and that speaks more than a 20-goal scorer.”
