Filip Hronek on coming to Vancouver, playing with Quinn Hughes, and talking with Troy Stecher

Today, new Canucks defenceman Filip Hronek spoke to the media for the first time since being acquired from the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old defender comes to Vancouver along with Detroit’s fourth-round draft pick in 2024, in exchange for the 2023 first-rounder the Canucks had received from the Islanders in the Bo Horvat trade, as well as their own 2023 second round pick.

As was the reaction from fans when the trade was announced, Hronek said the move caught him off guard.

“I was surprised, but I’m pretty happy now and I can’t wait to meet everyone and get to know all the guys and the fans,” Hronek said. “I’m excited about it for sure.”

Hronek says he’s also looking forward to playing with a young team in Vancouver, something he’s plenty familiar with from his time with the Red Wings.

“I was part of a young group here in Detroit. I’m pretty excited and I hope I can bring everything, and I hope it’s gonna work well,” Hronek said.

Hronek is currently out of commission with a shoulder injury sustained in Detroit, but the plan is for him to fly to Vancouver on Monday. And while he’s unsure of when he’ll be cleared for action again, he does believe he’ll return this season.

Hronek says he hasn’t thought much about the prospect of playing on a pairing with Quinn Hughes yet, but he’s excited about the possibility.

“Definitely Quinn is a great player and he has a lot of skills. That would be great to play with him.”

When Hronek was asked about his familiarity with the organization, he admitted that he didn’t know anyone from the current team. But he went on to say that he’d had conversations with former Detroit teammate and Canucks fan favourite Troy Stecher about the market.

“He gave me the pointers. Good restaurants for sure,” Hronek said about his talk with Stecher. “Just told me about the organization, he talked a lot about it so it made it easier.”

Prior to his injury, Hronek was having a career season with the Red Wings, posting 38 points in 60 games.

Join us on March 3rd for the Daily Faceoff Live: Trade Deadline edition as Frank Seravalli and the panel break down all of the latest rumours, news, and rumblings from around the NHL. The show will be live on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter from 9 AM-1 PM PT to keep you up to date on all things trade deadline no matter where you’re watching from.