From the Detroit Free Press (11/9/2005)

It's a good problem to have, but how will the Wings make room for left wing Jiri Hudler and defenseman Brett Lebda? Hudler has 13 goals and 25 points for Grand Rapids, while Lebda -- who was called up again Tuesday -- has two goals and three points in four games with Detroit.

I'm assuming most of you have no idea who either of these guys are, but I know a little about Lebda, and quite a bit about Jiri Hudler.

He is a young kid from the Czech Republic and is only 21 years old. At 21, he's already been with the Wings organization for 3 years.

Rumour was that he was too small to play in the NHL, but with the new rules, I think the Wings will have to give him a shot. He is officially listed as 5'9", 178 lbs.

He was ranked in the top 15 of his draft year, 2002, and the Wings picked him up when he somehow slipped to the 58th pick.

For Grand Rapids, he made the 2003-2004 AHL All Star Team.

When he 1st came in, people said that he had great skills, but needed to learn to bring it every night, and take the game more seriously.

This past offseason, he work with a world famous conditioning coach in California with Chelios and Schnieder, and it seems to have paid off.

He had struggled in the past with faceoffs, as a small centerman, now he is listed as LW. Which was apparently a good move.

I've always loved this kid, and I'll bring more news on him when he hits the big-time.

http://griffinshockey.com/team/roster/?id=29

http://stats.theahl.com/stats/statdi...pe=top_scorers

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