HRONEK NAMED TO 2017-18 AHL ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman Filip Hronek on Wednesday was named to the 2017-18 AHL All-Rookie Team, as voted by coaches, players and media in each of the league’s 30 member cities.

In his first full professional season, the 20-year-old Hronek has posted 33 points (9-24—33), 42 penalty minutes and a team-leading plus-21 rating in 62 games for Grand Rapids. Among the league’s rookie defensemen, Hronek ranks second in points, tied for second in goals, third in assists and second in plus/minus rating. He adds four game-winning goals, which ties for the most among all league blueliners.

Hronek’s 33 points are the fifth-most by a first-year defenseman in Griffins history. He paces all team defensemen in power play production with 17 points (3-14—17) and has been instrumental in Grand Rapids’ power play ranking third in the league (21.0%).

Hronek was drafted in the second round, 53rd overall, by Detroit in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

Hronek becomes just the fourth defenseman in team history to be named to the All-Rookie Team – joining current teammate Robbie Russo (2015-16), Ryan Sproul (2013-14) and Brendan Smith (2010-11) – and the eighth Griffin overall to garner such accolades (Teemu Pulkkinen 2013-14, Gustav Nyquist 2011-12, Justin Abdelkader 2008-09, Jimmy Howard 2005-06). All seven previous All-Rookie Team members from the Griffins have gone on to play at least one game in the NHL.

A native of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Hronek joined the Griffins at the end of the 2016-17 season after concluding his junior campaign with the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit and scored two points (1-1—2) in 10 regular season contests. He helped Grand Rapids win the Calder Cup after appearing in a pair of postseason games.

Hronek will receive a custom-designed crystal award in recognition of his selection to the 2017-18 AHL All-Rookie Team.

The other members of the 2017-18 AHL All-Rookie Team are: goaltender Ville Husso (San Antonio), defenseman Sami Niku (Manitoba), and forwards Mason Appleton (Manitoba), Daniel Sprong (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) and Dylan Strome (Tucson).

The Griffins continue their push for the playoffs on Friday and Saturday when they travel to take on the Pacific Division-leading Tucson Roadrunners. Both games will start at 10:05 p.m. EDT.

Single-game tickets are currently on sale. Fans can secure their full-season, select-season or group ticket packages by calling (616) 774-4585 ext. 2 or visit griffinshockey.com for more information.