From a Cougar to Bear, Hudson Thornton’s hockey future is coming into focus.
The 20-year-old captain of the Prince George Cougars has signed a pro contract with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League – the top farm team of the Washington Capitals.
“It’s really exciting,” said Thornton. “It was one of my goals this year to try and earn myself a professional contract and I am super thankful for the opportunity and will do everything I can to try and make that team next year.
“I wouldn’t be here talking about a pro contract if it wasn’t for my parents, my brothers, my grandparents, my teammates, and coaches. Prince George has done so much for me and has treated me so well, and it’s certainly a first-class organization. I am confident in saying I maybe wouldn't have this opportunity if I wasn’t here in Prince George, and again I can’t thank the team and my teammates enough.”
As the BC Division nominee for the Bill Hunter Trophy awarded to the top defenceman in the WHL, Thornton rewrote the Cougars’ record book this season, establishing new career team standards for goals (56), assists (140), points (196) and power-play goals (24).
The Winnipeg native was selected to the BC Division first all-star team.
Chosen by the Cats in the second round, 33rd overall in the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft, this is Thornton’s third WHL season after playing his 16-year-old season in the BCHL with the Chilliwack Chiefs. In 2020-21 he played 23 games in USHL with the Fargo Force before he joined the Cougars late that season.
“This is well deserving,” said Cougars head coach and general manager Mark Lamb. “He has earned it the right way.”
Thornton becomes the second member of this year’s Cougar team to join the Capitals organization. On March 1st, Cougars forward Zac Funk signed a three-year entry-level contract with Washington.
Thornton will lead the Cougars into the Western Conference semifinal series against the Kelowna Rockets which starts Friday at CN Centre.
