Jiri Hudler (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 5'9" and
182 pounds, Hudler is both the shortest and lightest
player on the 2007–08 Red Wings.
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.
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.
