Jiri Hudler
/ Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings forward Jiri Hudler won't be back in Hockeytown this fall, the 5-foot-10, 186 pound center has joined the Calgary Flames.
Hudler, 28, signed a four year contract with the Flames worth $16 million. A free-agent beginning on July 1, Hudler decided not to re-sign with the Wings.
The Red Wings drafted Hudler in 2002 in the second round, 58th overall. In 409 games with Detroit over seven seasons, Hudler scored 87 goals, collected 214 points, and was a member of the 2008 Stanley Cup winning team. He also played with the Red Wings' AHL affiliate team, the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Hudler, originally from the former nation of Czechoslovakia, has also spent time playing as a pro in Europe. Before joining the Red Wings, Hudler played for Hockey Club Vsetin in the Czech Republic, and he left the Wings in 2009 to join HC Dynamo Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League, for one season before returning to Detroit.
Hudler is one of many unrestricted free agents for Detroit this offseason, him and teammate Chris Conner were the first ones to sign with new teams Monday. Other unrestricted free agents from the Wings include forwards Tomas Holmstrom and Fabian Brunnstrom, goaltender Ty Conklin, and defenseman Doug Janik. Free agents to sign with Detroit this offseason include goaltender Jonas Gustavsson, and forwards Mikael Samuelsson and Jordin Tootoo. Samuelsson previously played with Detroit from 2005 to 2009.
