Charles Simard-Hudon Bio
Charles Simard-Hudon is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who plays for Djurgårdens IF of the Swedish Hockey League. Selected in the fifth round, 122nd overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Hudon has built a career across major junior, the American Hockey League, the National Hockey League and European leagues.
Early Life and Background
Charles Simard-Hudon was born on June 23, 1994, in Alma, Quebec, Canada. He developed his early game playing midget hockey in Quebec with the Saint-Eustache Vikings of the QMAAA before moving to major junior competition.
Hudon entered the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League after being selected sixth overall by the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. He became a leading junior scorer and served as team captain during his final junior season, a period that established him as a prospect for professional hockey.
Path to Hockey
Following two productive seasons in the QMJHL, Hudon was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 2012 and signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Canadiens on May 5, 2013. His junior play included a midseason trade in 2013–14 to Baie-Comeau Drakkar, where he helped the club reach the President Cup Finals and finished among the team leaders in goals and points.
Hudon’s junior leadership and scoring output provided the foundation for his transition to professional hockey. He moved into the Canadiens organization in 2013 and began his professional development in the American Hockey League the following season.
Charles Simard-Hudon Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
Hudon turned pro in 2013 and spent his first full professional season in 2014–15 with the Hamilton Bulldogs, the AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens at the time. He quickly assumed a top-line scoring role and posted a standout rookie campaign, recording 57 points in 75 games.
That rookie performance placed Hudon among the top AHL rookies league-wide and earned him selection to the AHL All-Rookie Team. He was also named to the AHL All-Star Game, where he posted three goals and an assist and earned co-MVP honors.
QMJHL and AHL Breakthrough (2011–2016)
Hudon’s QMJHL tenure with Chicoutimi and later Baie-Comeau showcased his offensive instincts and leadership as a junior captain. His play in major junior leading up to the 2012 draft drew NHL attention and prepared him for the professional ranks.
In the AHL, Hudon consolidated his reputation as a scoring forward. Following his promising 2014–15 rookie season with Hamilton, he began the 2015–16 campaign assigned to the St. John’s IceCaps, Montréal’s AHL affiliate at that time, where he continued to be a primary offensive option.
Montreal Canadiens Breakthrough (2015–2020)
Hudon earned his first NHL recall from the Canadiens on December 8, 2015, and made his NHL debut two days later on December 10, recording his first NHL point with an assist in a 3–2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. He returned to the AHL after his initial NHL appearances but remained on the Canadiens’ depth chart.
During the 2017–18 season Hudon recorded his first NHL goals, scoring twice in an 8–3 win over the Ottawa Senators on October 30. In that season he produced 23 primary points in regular NHL action. He split time between the NHL and AHL over subsequent seasons, including stints with the Laval Rocket, and experienced varied offensive results at the NHL level.
European and AHL Transitions (2020–2023)
Amid restricted free-agent status in 2020, Hudon opted to play in Switzerland and signed a one-year contract with Lausanne HC of the National League for the 2020–21 season. After returning to North America, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 28, 2021, and spent the 2021–22 season with the Syracuse Crunch, the Lightning’s AHL affiliate.
With the Syracuse Crunch in 2021–22, Hudon matched his career-best point total of 57, registering 30 goals and 27 assists in 66 games. His scoring touch in the AHL kept him as a consistent offensive presence and positioned him for further NHL organizational opportunities.
Colorado Avalanche and Ontario Reign Era (2022–2025)
Hudon signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Colorado Avalanche on July 13, 2022. He later signed a two-year AHL contract with the Ontario Reign, the Los Angeles Kings’ primary affiliate, on July 3, 2023. In Ontario he produced strong offensive seasons, including point-per-game scoring pace across two campaigns with the Reign.
Those two seasons with the Reign reinforced Hudon’s role as a high-end AHL scorer and a veteran leader within the affiliate environment, providing both production and experience for a developing roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hudon plays as a left-shooting left winger known for his scoring instincts, puck skills and competitive net-front presence. He combines quick release and shot selection with playmaking ability at the AHL level, and his junior and minor-pro track record underlines consistency in offensive zones.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Hudon’s career include his 2012 NHL draft selection by the Montreal Canadiens, his 2014–15 AHL All-Rookie Team selection and AHL All-Star Game co-MVP performance, his NHL debut and first NHL points in December 2015, and a pair of goals in his first multi-goal NHL game on October 30, 2017. He also matched a career-high 57 points in the AHL in 2021–22 while with Syracuse.
Charles Simard-Hudon Career Wins
Hudon’s verified career highlights emphasize scoring and individual honors rather than team championships. Across his professional career he has repeatedly produced notable scoring totals at AHL level and has translated that performance into NHL opportunities and European contracts.
AHL Highlights
Hudon’s AHL resume includes a 57-point rookie season with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2014–15 that earned him AHL All-Rookie Team recognition and AHL All-Star co-MVP honors. He matched that 57-point mark again with the Syracuse Crunch in 2021–22, including a 30-goal season that stands as one of his top professional scoring efforts.
Other Wins & Perfromances
Beyond the AHL, Hudon’s notable performances include his junior leadership as Chicoutimi Saguenéens captain, contributing to Baie-Comeau Drakkar’s run to the QMJHL President Cup Finals in 2013–14, and sustained scoring that supported professional contracts in Switzerland and Sweden.
2025 Season Performance
Following two seasons with the Ontario Reign, Hudon returned to Europe by signing a two-year contract with Djurgårdens IF of the Swedish Hockey League on July 23, 2025. The move marked his second European signing after Lausanne and presented a new opportunity to compete in one of Europe’s top leagues.
Hudon arrives in Sweden as an experienced professional with significant AHL scoring history, NHL experience and prior international club experience. The 2025 season with Djurgårdens IF represents an opportunity to provide scoring depth and veteran leadership while adapting his game to the SHL’s style of play.