Judd Blackwater is hoping his second season of pro hockey is going to be a little more stable than his first.
Blackwater, 21, is returning to the ECHL's Stockton Thunder after a well travelled first year.
"Yeah it was an interesting year," said Blackwater from his home in Lethbridge, Alberta. "I was up and down and all over the place it seems."

Blackwater played with the Fresno Falcons in the ECHL, who folded just before Christmas. "I've never had that happen before," said Blackwater. "That was an experience."
All the players on the Falcons roster were declared free agents, but Blackwater's coach Matt Thomas caught on with the Stockton Thunder and brought him along for the ride.
Thomas has faith in Blackwater, telling MLN sports that, "Judd possesses one of the nicest set of hands I have ever seen in the game, let alone our league," said Thomas. "He really began to uncover his potential in the playoffs last year and as he continues to grow in confidence with his stickhandling and playmaking ability, the sky is the limit for him as to what he can do at this level and in the American Hockey League. He is certainly a welcomed, returning commodity for our offense."
His AHL experience gave him a taste of where he wants to be.
Blackwater caught on with the American Hockey League's Rockford Ice Hogs, the primary affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, who drafted him originally. He played twelve games, firing his first AHL goal in his first AHL game against the Manitoba Moose.
"Yeah it was a rush," said Blackwater.
But his tryout lasted only nine games. "Some of their guys went down with injuries and I started out on the first line," said Blackwater. "But as they started to come back I ended up being dropped down to the fourth line. It's kind of hard to score when you don't have much ice time to work with."
He later earned another tryout with the Rochester Americans, lasting twelve games before being returned to Stockton.
"The AHL is faster, guys are stronger," said Blackwater. "They told me to develop and score goals and that they would call me up if I did that.
But this year he knows where he stands and is a little wiser heading into this season. When he played junior in the WHL there were certain things he didn't have to worry about. "Having a roof over your head and a hot meal were locks," said Blackwater. "Now I have to budget money, pay some rent and bills on time every month but it's way worth it because I get to play hockey for a living."
And with the SCHL teams carrying only three lines, getting ice time won't be a problem. "Guys are smarter here," said Blackwater. "The schedule is a little different than junior. I've got to get more rest now and take care of myself off the ice and everything should work out just fine."
"I just play my game and whatever happens happens."