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Jiří Hudler
130224 Jiri Hudler Flames.png
Hudler with the Calgary Flames in 2013
Born (1984-01-04) 4 January 1984 (age 41)
Olomouc, Czechoslovakia
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Right wing
Shot Left
Played for HC Vsetín
Havířov Panthers
Ak Bars Kazan
Detroit Red Wings
Dynamo Moscow
Lev Praha
HC Oceláři Třinec
Calgary Flames
Florida Panthers
Dallas Stars
National team Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech Republic
NHL Draft 58th overall, 2002
Detroit Red Wings
Playing career 1999–2017

Jiří Hudler (born January 4, 1984) is a former professional ice hockey player from the Czech Republic. He played as a forward for several teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). These teams included the Detroit Red Wings, Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers, and Dallas Stars.

Hudler started his career in the Czech Extraliga, which is the top hockey league in the Czech Republic. He was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 2002. He later won the famous Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 2008. He also played one season in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia.

Playing Career

Early Years in Hockey

Jiří Hudler began his youth hockey career in the Czech Extraliga with a team called HC Vsetín. This was during the 1999–2000 season. He quickly became a strong player.

In the 2001–02 season, he scored a point in almost every game. Because of his great play, the Detroit Red Wings picked him in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He was their first pick in the second round, 58th overall.

Hudler stayed in the Czech Extraliga for another season. He also played a short time with Ak Bars Kazan in Russia. Then, he moved to North America for the 2003–04 season.

Starting in North America

When Hudler first came to North America, he played 12 games for the Red Wings. However, he spent most of that season with the Grand Rapids Griffins. This team is Detroit's minor league affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). He scored 49 points in 57 games during his first AHL season.

Due to a lockout in the NHL during the 2004–05 season, Hudler stayed in the AHL. He also played seven games back with Vsetín. In the 2005–06 season, he had an amazing year with the Griffins. He scored 36 goals and 96 points in 76 games. This earned him a spot on the AHL Second All-Star Team. His 60 assists that season set a new team record for the Griffins.

Jiri Hudler
Hudler played six seasons in Detroit

Time with the Detroit Red Wings

Hudler finally became a full-time player for the Detroit Red Wings in the 2006–07 season. He scored 25 points in 76 games. The Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association chose him as the team's rookie of the year. He was very efficient, scoring many goals in less time on the ice than other players.

In the 2007 playoffs, Hudler played on and off. He contributed two assists in six games. An older teammate, Robert Lang, helped Hudler a lot when he first joined the team. Hudler even lived at Lang's house for a while.

Jiri Hudler 2008
Jiří Hudler holding the Stanley Cup

In his second full season with the Red Wings, Hudler improved his play, scoring 42 points. On June 4, 2008, he achieved a huge dream: he won the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings! He scored five goals and had nine assists during their playoff run. He even scored the winning goal in Game 4 of the Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

He continued to get better in the 2008–09 season, scoring 23 goals and 57 points. However, the Red Wings faced the Penguins again in the Finals and lost in seven games.

Playing in Russia

After the 2008–09 season, Hudler became a free agent. He decided to sign a contract with Dynamo Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia. He played there for two years.

Back to Detroit

After one season with Dynamo Moscow, Hudler returned to the Detroit Red Wings. He signed a new contract with them on April 26, 2010. He was not able to play in the 2010 playoffs because he joined the team after the trade deadline. However, he was ready for the 2010–11 season.

Moving to Calgary

On July 2, 2012, Hudler signed a four-year contract with the Calgary Flames. In the 2014–15 season, he had his best year in the NHL. He scored 76 points in 78 games. His great play helped the Flames reach the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in six years.

He was also nominated for the Lady Byng Trophy. This award is given to the NHL player who shows the best sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability. He won the award on June 24.

Final NHL Teams

During the 2015–16 season, Hudler was traded to the Florida Panthers on February 27, 2016. This was the last year of his contract with the Flames.

After that season, he became a free agent again. On August 23, 2016, Hudler signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Stars. He finished his NHL career with the Stars.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1999–2000 HC Slovnaft Vsetín CZE U20 47 25 28 53 73 6 4 3 7 2
1999–2000 HC Slovnaft Vsetín ELH 2 0 1 1 0
2000–01 HC Slovnaft Vsetín CZE U20 16 8 14 22 16
2000–01 HC Slovnaft Vsetín ELH 22 1 4 5 10
2000–01 HC Femax Havířov ELH 15 5 1 6 12
2001–02 HC Vsetín ELH 46 15 31 46 54
2001–02 Bílí Tygři Liberec CZE.2 1 1 2 3 0 12 8 5 13 10
2001–02 HC Olomouc CZE.3 1 0 2 2 4
2002–03 HC Vsetín ELH 30 19 27 46 23
2002–03 Ak Bars Kazan RSL 11 1 5 6 12 1 0 0 0 0
2003–04 Detroit Red Wings NHL 12 1 2 3 10
2003–04 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 57 17 32 49 46 4 1 5 6 2
2004–05 Vsetínská hokejová ELH 7 5 2 7 10
2004–05 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 52 12 22 34 10
2005–06 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 76 36 60 96 56 16 6 16 22 20
2005–06 Detroit Red Wings NHL 4 0 0 0 2
2006–07 Detroit Red Wings NHL 76 15 10 25 36 6 0 2 2 4
2007–08 Detroit Red Wings NHL 81 13 29 42 26 22 5 9 14 14
2008–09 Detroit Red Wings NHL 82 23 34 57 16 23 4 8 12 6
2009–10 Dynamo Moscow KHL 54 19 35 54 18 4 0 1 1 4
2010–11 Detroit Red Wings NHL 73 10 27 37 28 4 1 2 3 0
2011–12 Detroit Red Wings NHL 81 25 25 50 42 5 2 0 2 4
2012–13 Lev Praha KHL 4 0 1 1 2
2012–13 HC Oceláři Třinec ELH 4 3 2 5 4
2012–13 Calgary Flames NHL 42 10 17 27 22
2013–14 Calgary Flames NHL 75 17 37 54 16
2014–15 Calgary Flames NHL 78 31 45 76 14 11 4 4 8 2
2015–16 Calgary Flames NHL 53 10 25 35 17
2015–16 Florida Panthers NHL 19 6 5 11 10 6 0 1 1 4
2016–17 Dallas Stars NHL 32 3 8 11 4
ELH totals 126 48 68 116 116
NHL totals 708 164 264 428 243 83 16 26 42 40
KHL totals 69 20 41 61 68 5 0 1 1 4
Medal record
Representing Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech Republic
Men's ice hockey
World U18 Championships
Bronze 2002 Slovakia

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2000 Czech Republic U17 5th 5 2 4 6 0
2000 Czech Republic WJC18 6th 6 0 2 2 8
2002 Czech Republic WJC18 3 8 7 7 14 8
2002 Czech Republic WJC 7th 7 1 2 3 0
2003 Czech Republic WJC 6th 6 3 4 7 2
2003 Czech Republic WC 4th 9 2 4 6 2
2004 Czech Republic WJC 4th 7 2 3 5 6
2013 Czech Republic WC 7th 8 4 1 5 6
2014 Czech Republic WC 4th 10 1 3 4 8
Junior totals 39 15 22 37 24
Senior totals 27 7 8 15 16

Awards and Records

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