When the Detroit Red Wings signed Filip Hronek to a three-year contract extension on Sept. 3, 2021, he was expected to continue playing an important role on defense.
And Hronek did just that in 2021-22, leading to personal bests in games played (78), assists (33) and points (38).
Detroit relied heavily on Hronek this past season. He finished second on the team in average ice time at 22:02 per game, trailing only Calder Memorial Trophy winner Moritz Seider (23:03).
Video: TOR@DET: Hronek sends one from the point
The 6-foot, 188-pound defenseman also reached several individual NHL milestones in his fourth year in Detroit. In particular, Hronek skated in his 200th NHL game on Jan. 8 at Los Angeles and notched his 100th NHL point seven days later with an assist against the Buffalo Sabres.
The 24-year-old also recorded five multi-assist games and six multi-point outings in 2021-22, proving to be a reliable source for offense as a defenseman.
Hronek, Detroit’s 53rd overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, spent just one-plus season with the Red Wings’ AHL-affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins before earning a spot on Detroit’s 2018-19 opening night roster. He showed promise in his first full NHL campaign, tallying 23 points in just 46 games.
The following season, the Czech native again made the Red Wings’ roster out of training camp and skated in 65 of Detroit’s 71 games while leading the club in average ice time (23:54).
Video: DET@ANA: Hronek has space, winds up wicked slap shot
Hronek embraced top-two blueliner responsibilities in the 2019-20 season by pacing Red Wings defensemen in points (26), assists (24), power-play points (11) and average ice time (23:23).
With the value that the 24-year-old has proven in his young career, combined with the emergence of Seider, the Red Wings are confident their defense can continue taking steps forward in the 2022-23 campaign.