TOLEDO, Ohio — Update: Over 500 people showed up to the benefit for former Toledo Storm hockey player Rick Judson on Saturday to show support for the Toledo Hockey Hall of Fame member after he was injured in a car accident in early October.
Judson himself wasn't able to come to the event but a standing-room-only crowd of family, friends, teammates and Toledo hockey fans filled the IBEW Local 8 union hall in Rossford for the fundraiser Saturday.
Party City donated around $1,000 worth of supplies for the event and over 100 volunteers helped make it happen.
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It was Oct. 5, a Thursday, around 3:45 p.m. when Melissa Judson got a phone call from her husband. It was a normal thing for the two of them around that time, but this time it was anything but normal.
"A day that changed everything," Melissa Judson said. "I'll never forget that phone call."
Her husband, Rick Judson, was heading home from work as an electrician when he was involved in a severe crash in the Swanton area. His truck was mangled. Rick Judson would spend nearly a week in the ICU.
“Every day is a new day,” Melissa Judson said. “We just try to put our best foot forward each day. The only thing we can do is be very blessed that he’s still here with us.”
Injuries are something Rick Judson is familiar with. After all, he was a hockey player for the Toledo Storm. During his time with the team, which included parts of 10 seasons, Rick Judson helped bring a Riley Cup championship to Toledo.
Not once, but twice.
Toledo Storm teammate and defenseman Andy Suhy is part of the group rallying in support of Rick Judson. It was hard for him to pick a favorite thing about "Juddy."
Suhy and Judson were both drafted by the Detroit Red Wings, the major league affiliate of the Toledo Storm, in 1989. Suhy in the eighth round and Judson in the tenth.
The two know each other well, having forged a friendship during minor hockey and playing against each other in college.
"Selfishly, one of my favorite things about him is the reason why I've got two championship rings like this, is because we had a guy like Rick Judson on the team," Suhy said, gesturing to the Toledo Storm championship ring on his right hand. "He came in, like lunch pail mentality, probably one of the most talented guys on the team, he probably worked harder than everyone else."
Thirty-five years later, Suhy has stayed by Judson's side. Melissa Judson said Suhy has been incredible, regularly visiting and sitting with Rick whenever she isn't able to be there.
When it comes to recovery, Melissa described Rick as determined.
Suhy agreed.
Judson was the kind of player who was determined to stay on the ice, Suhy said, giving an example of a time when Judson took a stick to the face that left blood on the ice and splinters of wood embedded in his forehead during a game in Dayton.
"Couple of stitches later, Juddy's out on the ice," Suhy said. "I think he missed a shift and that's it, right? That's Rick Judson."
So it is no surprise that Judson is determined to recover from his injuries.
Rick is undergoing occupational therapy before he can do physical therapy, Melissa said, and there are several factors that could come into play. It means medical bills, and in the meantime, Rick is unable to work.
Injuries are something Rick Judson is familiar with. But asking for help is another story.
Jenn Roberts stepped up. Her reason was simple.
"Rick Judson is one of the most amazing human beings I've ever met and his wife, Melissa, is my best friend," Roberts said.
A meal train was set up for the Judson family, and Roberts decided to get rolling on a bigger idea.
"A benefit with the entire community coming together would be the best option for them, and the 419 has so many amazing people in the community," Roberts said.
In three weeks, the event gained steam. Roberts said 198 tickets were sold in advance, with 175 people asking if they could pay at the door ahead of Saturday's benefit.
Melissa Judson said it's been unusual for so many to reach out and offer help. Usually, she said, she's the one delivering care baskets and adopting families for Christmas.
With the tables turned, Suhy helped bring his friend around to the idea.
"Rick, he actually was not for this. He was like, 'I don't want people to feel sorry for me,'" Suhy said. "And I said 'Juddy, they don't feel sorry for you. They feel empathy for you and they want to help.'"
For his part, Suhy donated something that promises to be priceless. A dinner for five at a local restaurant of your choice, with Suhy covering both the bill and the entertainment for the evening for a lucky auction winner.
"I'll 'spill the tea,' as the kids say, about life on the road as a minor league hockey player," Suhy said, adding that he had plenty of stories to share. He might just have to take some creative liberties with offering up what he described as "unfiltered" access. "I got messages from a bunch of guys as soon as they saw that saying 'Suhy, you gotta change my name!'"
Toledo hockey icons past and present will be in attendance.
Toledo Storm forward and fellow Toledo Hockey Hall of Famer Iain Duncan was happy to show his support.
“Just driving over here today from Cleveland, thinking ‘once a teammate, always a teammate,'" he said.
Duncan reached out to some NHL contacts, securing some items for auction including signed jerseys from some of the bigger names around the league.
"Hockey is one big family," Duncan said.
"One degree of separation," Suhy added.
But the benefit dinner is for everyone in the community as a whole, not just people with fond memories of the Toledo Sports Arena and guys like Judson, Duncan and Suhy.
"You don't have to be a hockey fan," Suhy said. "Come out, have a couple beers, be surrounded by a bunch of old hockey guys that are going to tell stories about how great they used to be 30 or 40 years ago, have a few laughs and maybe pick something up that may be a good Christmas gift for somebody."
Something like unfiltered access to Andy Suhy's unfiltered lesson in hockey history.
The benefit dinner will be held Saturday at the IBEW Local 8 Hall, located at 807 Lime City Rd. in Rossford.
Tickets can be purchased at the door for $20 with the event from 5-11 p.m.
If you can't make the event, "Juddy Strong" t-shirts are available and monetary donations are accepted. More information is available at the Benefit for Rick Judson and Family Facebook event at this link.
For more information on how to contribute to the Judson family's meal train, visit this link.