Hronek, 20, has skated in six Red Wings games during the 2018-19 campaign, including his NHL debut during the team's home opener on Oct. 4 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 6-foot, 170-pound rookie logged three points (1-2-3) in six games, including his first NHL point Oct. 11 vs. Toronto and first NHL goal on Oct. 13 at Boston. Hronek averaged 19:12 time on ice through six contests, posting 16 penalty minutes and logging one point in each of his last three games. The Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, native anchored the Griffins defense last season, recording 11 goals, 28 assists and a team-best plus-24 rating in 67 games. The defenseman's 39 points led the team's blueliners and were fifth-most among all Griffins, earning a spot on the 2018 AHL All-Rookie Team.
Drafted in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by Detroit, Hronek spent the 2016-17 season with the Ontario Hockey League's Saginaw Spirit, where logged 14 goals, 47 assists and a team-best plus-15. Following his OHL season, Hronek joined the Griffins and picked up two points (1-1-2) in 10 regular-season games and played two games during the team's 2017 Calder Cup championship run. Hronek also represented the Czech Republic at both the 2016 and 2017 IIHF World Junior Championships, where he combined for six points (2-4-6) in 10 games. He also debuted for the men's national team at the 2018 IIHF World Championship, picking up a goal and two assists in eight games. Hronek made his professional debut by playing in 41 games with HK Hradec Kralove in the top Czech league between 2014-16, totaling four assists and 24 penalty minutes.
Born Nov 2 1997 -- Hradec Kralove, Czech Rep.
Height 6.00 -- Weight 170 -- Shoots R
Selected by Detroit Red Wings round 2 #53 overall 2016 NHL Entry Draft
