Jiří Hudler

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size=250px
team=Detroit Red Wings
former_teams =
league = NHL
position = Left Wing
shoots = Left
height_ft = 5
height_in = 9
weight_lb = 182
nationality = CZE
birth_date = Birth date and age|1984|1|4
birth_place = Olomouc, Czechoslovakia
draft = 58th overall
draft_year = 2002
draft_team = Detroit Red Wings
career_start = 2003

Jiří Hudler (pronEng|jɪɹɪi . hʌdlɚ/ɹ̩, born January 4, 1984 in Olomouc, Czechoslovakia) is a Czech professional ice hockey player and current member of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. Listed at 5 ft 9 in and 182 pounds, Hudler is both the shortest and lightest player on the 2007–08 Red Wings.

Playing career

Hudler spent his youth in the top Czech Extraliga league with HC Vsetín. The Red Wings drafted him with their first pick (58th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. [Hudler was the Red Wings' first pick of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, as they did not have a 1st round pick. That pick had been traded, along with forward Vyacheslav Kozlov, to the Buffalo Sabres for goaltender Dominik Hašek in the summer of 2001. Hudler's draft slot originally belonged to the Carolina Hurricanes, but was acquired by the Wings in exchange for defenceman Aaron Ward prior to the 2001–2002 season.]

His NHL debut came during the 2003–2004 season, splitting his time between Detroit and their top minor league affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League. Hudler gained more experience with the Griffins during the 2004–05 NHL lockout, while also playing a handful of games in his native Czech Republic. He returned to Grand Rapids for the 2005–2006 season, where in 76 games he had 36 goals and 60 assists, good for a team-leading 96 points. Hudler also had 6 goals and 16 assists (22 points) in 16 playoff games. Following his breakout year, Hudler earned a regular spot (albeit limited ice time) in the Wings lineup for the 2006–2007 season. He would go on to score 15 goals with 10 assists in 76 games. No one in the NHL scored more goals in fewer average minutes per game (10:02) than Hudler. Hudler played sporadically in the playoffs, often splitting time with Kyle Calder. He chipped in 2 assists in 6 games.

Former Wings teammate and fellow Czech Robert Lang took Hudler under his wing when Hudler joined the team. Hudler spent time living in Lang's home when he first arrived in the United States, and Lang even went so far as to call Hudler "a third son." Hudler spent time during the offseason training with fellow NHLers Chris Chelios, Mathieu Schneider, and Rob Blake in Southern California. As a result, he says that he feels faster and stronger [http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2007/10/hudler_ready_to_take_more_shot.html] .

On June 4, 2008 Hudler won the Stanley Cup, as a member of the Red Wings. He scored 5 goals and added 9 assists during Detroit's successful playoff run, including the game winning goal in Game 4 of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals.

Awards and records

* His 60 assists in 2005–2006 is a Grand Rapids Griffins team record.
* In 2007, Hudler was named "Detroit Red Wings Rookie of the Year" by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association for his play during the 2006-2007 season.

References

External links

*
* [http://redwings.nhl.com/team/app?page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8470201&service=page Jiri Hudler - DetroitRedWings.com]