Former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Filip Hronek's preparation for the IIHF World Championship took a troubling turn this week after a frightening on-ice incident during a pre-tournament game against Finland.
Hronek, who many Red Wings fans still miss after his trade to the Vancouver Canucks, was set to represent Czechia on home ice in the upcoming tournament. But those plans are now uncertain after a dangerous play Thursday night.
The incident occurred when Hronek got tangled behind the Czech net with Finnish forward Mikael Seppälä. As Hronek fell to the ice, Seppälä landed on top of him and forcefully slammed Hronek's head into the ice with his right hand. The troubling video of the play has since circulated widely.
Hronek was scheduled for an MRI on Friday, and the team is anxiously awaiting results. Czech coach Radim Rulík expressed concern, telling Swedish website Hockey Sverige, "I'm afraid it could be something more serious." Assistant coach Jiri Kalous offered a more hopeful outlook to Czech outlet iSport, saying, "We are always positive. We believe that everything will be fine."
The 26-year-old defenseman just completed a full 82-game season with the Canucks, posting 49 points. Red Wings fans will remember Hronek's time in Detroit from 2018 to 2023, including his remarkable 2020-21 campaign when he led the team in scoring with 26 points during the COVID-shortened season. He and Hall of Famer Paul Coffey (1994-95) remain the only defensemen to ever lead the Red Wings in scoring in a single season.
In other World Championship roster news, Sweden has added former Red Wings forward Oskar Sundqvist, who played in Detroit from 2022 to 2023 before joining the St. Louis Blues. He'll be joined by current Red Wings defenseman Albert Johansson on the Swedish squad.
For Hronek and Czechia, the hockey world now waits for those MRI results, hoping for good news before the tournament begins.