Left wing Derek Hulak skated in 43 total games in 2018-19 between Hershey (8) and Grand Rapids (35) and posted seven points (3-4—7). After beginning the campaign in Hershey, the fifth-year pro joined the Griffins on a professional tryout on Dec. 5 before signing a standard player’s contract for the remainder of the season on Dec. 27.

8 GP, 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points, +2 rating, 0 PIM with Hershey
35 GP, 1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points, even rating, 6 PIM with Grand Rapids

4 GP, 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, +1 rating, 0 PIM

Unrestricted free agent

1 – Two days after signing with the team on a professional tryout, Hulak netted his first goal as a Griffin in his team debut. Hulak’s marker at 4:18 of the third period at Rockford gave Grand Rapids a 2-1 lead before the Griffins fell 3-2 in overtime.

2 – A 2014 Calder Cup champion with the Texas Stars, Hulak recorded two points (1-1—2) in the postseason with Grand Rapids. Hulak was playing in his first playoff since 2016 with Texas.

39 – He was only the fifth player in franchise history to wear jersey No. 39. Prior to Hulak, it was most recently worn by current Detroit Red Wing Tyler Bertuzzi from 2014-18.

43 – Hulak appeared in 43 total games in 2018-19, his most since skating in 69 with Texas in 2015-16. Hulak played 17 games with Utica in 2016-17 and was sidelined for the entire 2017-18 season due to injury.

100.0% – Hulak finished 1-for-1 in shootouts this season. He provided the deciding goal in the fifth round against his former club Texas on Feb. 22.

200 – Hulak skated in his 200th AHL game during a 3-1 home loss to Milwaukee on March 31. Undrafted, Hulak made his AHL debut with Texas on March 1, 2014.

689 – In his season debut with Hershey, Hulak scored his first goal of the year and the Bears’ only tally in a 5-1 loss at Milwaukee. It marked his first goal since he was with Utica on Nov. 23, 2016 vs. Syracuse, a span of 689 days.

AHL On The Beat – Hulak Continues to Battle for Loved Ones, Himself

Photo at top by Sam Iannamico/Griffins