Ryan Kesler is about to have some competition.
Filip Hronek, acquired by the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday in a shocking blockbuster trade with the Detroit Red Wings, will continue wearing his regular No. 17 in his new blue and green uniforms.
After sporting the number for parts of five seasons in Detroit, Hronek elected to keep 17 after the surprise deal — making him the first Canuck to wear it since Josh Leivo in 2019–20.
Filip Hronek will continue to wear #⃣1⃣7⃣ in Vancouver! #Canucks pic.twitter.com/DDLi7YjAsB
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) March 2, 2023
Among the most notable names on the long list of Canucks 17s in history: Kesler, Radim Vrbata, Jan Hlavac, Bill Muckalt, Mike Ridley, Dixon Ward, Patrik Sundstrom, and (for the old-timers out there) Ron Sedlbauer.
Kesler is undoubtedly the most distinguished No. 17 in Canucks history, having won the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2011 and twice surpassing 70 points in a season while wearing the number with the team.
Now, it’s Hronek’s turn to put his own personal stamp on the digits. The Czech defender arrived in the Canucks organization on Wednesday afternoon in a stunning deal that saw Detroit receive two high 2023 draft picks in exchange for his services.
The Red Wings originally selected Hronek in the second round (No. 53 overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft. The six-foot, 187-pound righty made his NHL debut with the Red Wings during the 2018–19 season and subsequently surpassed the 30-plateau three times with the team.
Through 60 games with the Red Wings in 2022–23, Hronek collected nine goals and 38 points while averaging 21:32. With his next goal or assist, Hronek will set a new career high for points in a single season.
The Canucks will return to action — potentially with Hronek in tow — against the Minnesota Wild at Rogers Arena on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. PT.
