GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday reassigned forward Givani Smith (jih-VAH-nee SMIHTH) to the Grand Rapids Griffins from the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Storm and defenseman Filip Hronek (FIHL-ihp H’RAWN-ehk) to the American Hockey League club from the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit.
Smith, 19, played in 64 games with Guelph this season and ranked among the team’s leaders with 44 points (3rd), 26 goals (2nd), seven power play goals (T2nd), three game-winning goals (T1st) and 214 shots (1st). The 6-foot-2, 209-pound winger logged 139 penalty minutes to lead the league for the second consecutive season.
Detroit’s second choice (46th overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Smith has accumulated 101 points (56-45—101) in 159 games since joining Guelph midway through the 2014-15 campaign. In his first full season with the Storm in 2015-16, he finished second on the club with 42 points (23-19—42).
A native of Thornhill, Ontario, Smith split his initial OHL season in 2014-15 between Barrie and Guelph. He chipped in four assists and 20 PIM in 31 games with the Colts before totaling 15 points (7-8—15) and 56 PIM in 30 games with the Storm to conclude the season. He added five points (2-3—5) in nine playoff contests.
In his first season in North America, Hronek, 19, skated in 59 games with Saginaw this year and tied for fourth among OHL defenseman in scoring (14-47—61). Detroit’s third choice (53rd overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Hronek placed among the team’s leaders with 47 assists (1st), 21 power play points (1st), 14 goals (4th) and 235 shots (2nd) and was named Saginaw’s Most Valuable Player.
A native of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Hronek has represented his home country in international competition since the 2014-15 season, and most recently, notched four points (2-2—4) and 10 PIM in five games at the 2017 World Junior Championship.
Prior to his North American debut, the 6-foot, 170-pound blueliner played in the Czech Republic from 2013-16. Skating with the Hradec Kralove U18 and junior team as well as Litomerice, Hronek appeared in 124 games totaling 76 points (23-53—76) and 220 PIM. He debuted professionally with Hradec Kralove in the Czech Extraliga in 2014-15 and appeared in 41 games across two seasons with the club, picking up four assists and 24 PIM.
The Central Division-leading Griffins host Rockford on Friday at 7 p.m.
Single-game tickets are currently on sale. Fans can secure their full-season, select-season or group ticket packages by calling (616) 774-4585 ext. 2 or visitgriffinshockey.com for more information.
