Courtesy: Prince George Cougars

By Ethan Ready

New Signing

Thornton brings junior experience to Cougars

Feb 26, 2021 | 11:06 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – The Prince George Cougars have announced the signing of one of their 2018 draft picks, one who hasn’t wasted any time getting some junior experience under his belt ahead of lacing up his skates in the Western Hockey League.

Hudson Thornton was drafted by the Cougars in the second round, 33^rd overall, in the 2018 WHL Draft. The 5’11”, 175-pound defenceman is the fifth player from the Cougars’ 2018 WHL Draft class to have signed a WHL Standard Player Agreement.

“Hudson is a highly touted player in his age group, and he has the capability to be an impact player for us,” said Cougars’ General Manager & Head Coach Mark Lamb. “We’re thrilled that he has committed to our program and that his family trusts the developmental path we are providing him and young players in our organization.”

The 17-year-old split the last two seasons between the Chilliwack Chiefs in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and the Fargo Force in the United States Hockey League (USHL). During the 2019-20 season with the Chiefs, Thornton had 17 points (6g, 11a) to go along with 17 penalty minutes in 54 regular-season games. He also played in seven playoff games and registered one assist.

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The Winnipeg, Manitoba product had three assists in seven games with the Chiefs during the 2020-21 BCHL Training Season. In the USHL, Thornton picked up four points (2g, 2a) in 23 games with the Force.

Thornton also played for Manitoba at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta and finished with five points (2g, 3a) in six games as Manitoba finished fifth.