bˈɔːɹn ɪn tɚɹˈɑːntoʊ, ɑːntˈæɹɪˌoʊ, dˈʌdli bɪɡˈæn hɪz plˈeɪɪŋ kɚɹˈɪɹ wɪððə bˈʌfəlˌoʊ sˈeɪbɚz ʌvðɪ ˌɛnˌeɪtʃˈɛl ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd sˈɛvənti tˈuː sˈɛvənti θɹˈiː ænd plˈeɪd ðɛɹ fɔːɹ θɹˈiː sˈiːzənz, bᵻfˌoːɹ swˈɪtʃɪŋ lˈiːɡz ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd sˈɛvənti fˈaɪv sˈɛvənti sˈɪks.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Dudley began his playing career with the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL in 1972–73 and played there for three seasons, before switching leagues in 1975–76.