Dave Drinkill

Saginaw Spirit general manager Dave Drinkill announced Friday the Red Wings prospect Filip Hronek agreed to play the 2016-17 season with the Spirit.

(Katy Kildee | MLive.com File)

The Detroit Red Wings won't have far to travel to watch their second-round draft pick.

Filip Hronek, 18, officially committed Friday to play in the Ontario Hockey League for the Saginaw Spirit for the 2016-17 season.

The Red Wings took the Czech-born defenseman in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft and 53rd overall.

"He is an extremely talented offensive defenseman that will be a critical core piece of our team for this season," Spirit general manager Dave Drinkill said in a press release. "Filip has the ability and skill set to be an elite player in the OHL, and we are going to do whatever we can to make sure that he maximizes his potential while spending the season in Saginaw.

"I know that his end goal like most players is to play in the NHL, and after being drafted by the Detroit Red Wings, it is the perfect scenario for everyone involved."

After the NHL Draft, the Spirit took Hronek with the 14th overall pick of the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. Hronek was the first of 14 NHL draft picks taken in the Import Draft.

The Red Wings signed Hronek to a three-year contract.

"As an organization, we are very pleased to have Filip Hronek just up the road from Detroit." said Red Wings Senior Vice President and Alternate Governor Jim Devellano in a press release. "I know (General Manager) Ken Holland is thrilled and (Director of Player Development) Jiri Fischer is thrilled to have him close to Detroit where we can get to see him. Our scouts in Europe tell me (Hronek) is a top of the line defenseman that will help solidify the (Saginaw Spirit's) back end."

The 163-pound defenseman played in the Czech Republic Men's League last season with HC Hradec Kralove and HC Litomerice. He played for the Czech Republic in the 2016 World Junior Championships.



Hronek is expected to be in Saginaw Monday for the start of training camp.