Filip Hronek broke into a big smile.
During the Detroit Red Wings development camp this month in Traverse City, the young defense prospect was asked what, in particular, he needs to work on as he faces his first full year of pro hockey.
“I need to work with everything,” Hronek said, emphasizing with a grin. “I must be stronger in American Hockey League – so many strong guys, bigger. So I must be stronger. And faster.”
Hronek can be counted on to put in the work to get better, on and off the ice. Take last year: He came over from his native Czech Republic to play for the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League (he put up 14 goals and 47 assists for 61 points in 59 games, along with a plus-15 rating).