It took 321 games in the American Hockey League over parts of six seasons for former Badger Andrew Joudrey to finally receive the call he had been waiting for.
That call came over the weekend, and Joudrey was more than happy to pick up the phone.
According to multiple media reports, the former Wisconsin captain has been recalled by the Columbus Blue Jackets and will report to the team immediately as they return from the NHL All-Star Break.
It's possible that Joudrey could make his NHL debut on Tuesday night in San Jose as the Blue Jackets take on the Sharks.
The game would be a reunion of sorts for Joudrey. The Sharks feature Joe Pavelski, a former teammate of Joudrey's at Wisconsin when the pair helped the Badgers win the 2006 NCAA National Championship.
If Joudrey does in fact make his NHL debut during his call-up, he will be the 10th player off that championship roster to play in the league.
Joudrey, a former 8th round NHL draft pick of the Washington Capitals spent the first 4+ seasons of his pro career playing for the Hershey Bears in the AHL. Joudrey recorded a career high 34 points for the Bears during the '09-10 season.
This past summer as an unrestricted free agent, Joudrey signed a two year, two way contract with Columbus that would net him a pro-rated portion of $575,000 this season and $600,000 next year. Joudrey's AHL salaries over this year and next are $115,000 and $125,000.
Through 42 games this season for the Springfield Falcons, who are Columbus' top farm club, Joudrey has recorded seven goals and 8 assists. his 15 points this season already eclipsed last seasons total.
Player |
Team |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
Rene Bourque |
Montreal Canadiens
|
43 |
15 |
4 |
19 |
Adam Burish
|
Dallas Stars
|
32 |
4 |
8 |
12 |
Jake Dowell |
Dallas Stars
|
35 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
Davis Drewiske |
Los Angeles Kings
|
7 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
Jake Gardiner |
Toronto Maple Leafs
|
42 |
1 |
13 |
14 |
Blake Geoffrion **
|
Nashville Predators
|
22 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
Tom Gilbert (Injured)
|
Edmonton Oilers
|
38 |
3 |
12 |
15 |
Dany Heatley |
Minnesota Wild
|
49 |
15 |
19 |
34 |
Andrew Joudrey |
Columbus Blue Jackets
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Jamie McBain |
Carolina Hurricanes
|
45 |
4 |
14 |
18 |
Ryan McDonagh |
New York Rangers
|
47 |
4 |
15 |
19 |
Joe Pavelski |
San Jose Sharks
|
47 |
17 |
17 |
34 |
Joe Piskula **
|
Calgary Flames
|
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Jack Skille
|
Florida Panthers
|
33
|
2 |
4 |
6 |
Brendan Smith **
|
Detroit Red Wings
|
3 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
Craig Smith |
Nashville Predators
|
48 |
11 |
18 |
29 |
Derek Stepan |
New York Rangers
|
47 |
10 |
21 |
31 |
Ryan Suter
|
Nashville Predators
|
47 |
5 |
23 |
28 |
Kyle Turris |
Ottawa Senators
|
25 |
4 |
9 |
13 |
Brad Winchester |
San Jose Sharks
|
47 |
6 |
3 |
9 |
Player |
Team |
Games |
GAA |
Save %
|
SO |
Brian Elliott |
St. Louis Blues
|
23 (15-5-2)
|
1.69 |
.938 |
5 |
Join the Badger conversation on Facebook! Go to our Facebook page and "like" us!
For more Wisconsin hockey coverage, follow Chuck on Twitter (@UWChuckSchwartz)
Chuck can also be reached via e-mail at chuckschwartz@live.com