Július Hudáček (born 9 August 1988) is úliusHudáča Slovak ice hockey professional goaltender currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Playing career
Hudáček spent several seasons in the Slovak Extraliga, first tending net for HK Spišská Nová Ves in 2003–04, then briefly with Poprad for the 2004–05 season, before returning again to HK Spišská Nová Ves. From 2008-2011, he played primarily with HC Košice, spending some time with HK 2016 Trebišov and HC 46 Bardejov.
From 2011-2013, he played in Sweden, primarily for Frölunda HC.
After a brief stint with HC Sibir Novosibirsk of the Kontinental Hockey League and then with HC CSOB Pardubice of the Czech Extraliga in 2013-14, he returned to Sweden to play for Örebro HK where he played until 2017. At Örebro, he was well-known for post-game on-ice comedic and acrobatic performances after team wins, known as "Hudashows".
After three seasons in Sweden, Hudáček opted for a return to the KHL for the 2017–18 season in securing a one-year deal with Russian club, Severstal Cherepovets, on April 27, 2017. Establishing himself as Severstal's starting goaltender, Hudáček appeared in 48 games with a 2.24 goals against average and .920 save percentage. He was selected to take part in the 2018 KHL All-Star Game and earned goaltender of the week honours for the week of March 2, 2018.
As a free agent, Hudáček opted to continue his KHL career by signing a one-year contract with his third Russian club, HC Spartak Moscow, on May 4, 2018.