Red Wings Wrap-Up: Hronek stays consistent in fourth NHL season

 

Filip Hronek was expected to continue to play a significant defensive role when the Detroit Red Wings extended his contract by three years on September 3, 2021.

And Hronek accomplished that in 2021–2022, setting new records for games played (78), assists (33) and points scored (38).

This past season, Hronek was extensively relying upon by Detroit. His average ice time per game was 22:02, which placed him second on the team behind only Calder Memorial Trophy winner Moritz Seider (23:03).

In his fourth season in Detroit, the 6-foot-1, 188-pound defenceman also accomplished some unique NHL milestones. In instance, Hronek played at his 200th NHL game on January 8 in Los Angeles and seven days later assisted against the Buffalo Sabres to get his 100th NHL point.

The 24-year-old also had five games with three or more assists and six games with three or more points in 2021–22, demonstrating his value as a defenseman who can also contribute offensively.

Hronek, the 53rd overall pick by Detroit in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, played for Grand Rapids Griffins, an AHL affiliate of the Red Wings, for just over a season before winning a position on the team's 2018–19 opening night roster. In his first full NHL season, he showed promise, scoring 23 points in just 46 games.

The next year, the Czech native skated in 65 of Detroit's 71 games while leading the team in average ice time after making the Red Wings roster out of training camp once more (23:54).

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.