International hockey writer Julie Robenhymer penned an article for DetroitRedWings.com in which she discusses Filip Hronek’s continued 2017-18 season progress as evidenced by Hronek’s strong play for the Czech Republic’s World Championship team.
Robenhymer speaks with Hronek, Team Czech Republic GM/Wings director of player evaluation Jiri Fischer and Czech World Championship coach Josef Jandac regaridng Hronek’s ups and downs at the Worlds:
“This year, he became the highest-scoring rookie defenseman in Grand Rapids history, which is pretty impressive because it’s a franchise that’s been around for a couple of decades,” Fischer explained. “He really wants to play and make things happen, but now he also understands that he has to be sound defensively and he has to be easy to play with, meaning he has to use the players on the ice in order to make him better and not just try to do everything by himself, which is often the big difference between the junior game and the pro game and he’s done a good job of that.
“The most important thing for every player to be successful is to continue to work on their strong suits. So if somebody wants to be special, they really have to work at what they’re good at and what they have a natural predisposition for. So, I really hope that Fil’s going to take his game to another level by running the power play and being the best puck-moving defenseman that he can potentially be.
“At the same time, he’s going to have to work on his strength and stamina to endure a long season with a hopeful playoff run, which some seasons could be over 100 games. That’s a grind. So he understands that this is a big summer for him and he needs to continue to try to improve his game.”
Good write up about Hronek. Here’s to a big summer, and gaining some strength!