Derek Hulak (born September 2, 1989) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing for HC Thurgau of the Swiss League (SL).

Derek Hulak
Hulak with the Texas Stars during the 2015-16 season
Born (1989-09-02) September 2, 1989 (age 35)
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
SL team
Former teams
HC Thurgau
Texas Stars
Utica Comets
Hershey Bears
Grand Rapids Griffins
Manitoba Moose
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2014–present

Playing career

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While attending the University of Saskatchewan, Hulak played for the Saskatchewan Huskies from 2010–11 to 2013–14. While the Huskies were defeated in the 2014 CIS University Cup national championship final,[1] Hulak won the Major W.J. "Danny" McLeod Award as Most Valuable Player of the national championship tournament.[2]

Undrafted out of university,[3] Hulak joined the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League (AHL). He won a Calder Cup with the Stars in 2014.[4]

In 2016, Hulak signed a one-year contract with the Utica Comets after two full seasons with the Stars.[5]

After enduring the 2016–17 season interrupted through injury with the Comets, Hulak left as a free agent to sign with his third AHL club, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on a one-year deal on July 6, 2017.[6] Hulak was unable to make an appearance with the Phantoms through the entire 2017–18 season, due to continuing injury woes.

On October 5, 2018, the Hershey Bears signed Hulak to a professional tryout (PTO), making the opening night roster for the 2018–19 season.[7] Hulak appeared in eight games through to December, recording two goals and one assist, before he was released from his tryout on December 4.[8] On December 5, the Grand Rapids Griffins signed Hulak to a PTO.[9] He posted 1 goal in 9 games with the Griffins before securing a one-year contract for the remainder of the season with the club on December 28, 2018.[10]

As a free agent from the Griffins Hulak was unable to secure a contract over the summer. Hulak accepted an invitation to attend the Manitoba Moose training camp and was later signed to a professional tryout contract to begin the 2019–20 season on October 4, 2019.[11] Hulak made 18 appearances posting 3 points before the season was ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On July 27, 2020, Hulak signed his first contract abroad, agreeing to a one-year deal with Swiss second tiered club, HC Thurgau of the Swiss League.[12]

Personal life

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His brother is Dan Hulak, a former ice hockey player. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.[13]

Career statistics

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2005–06 Regina Pats WHL 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2006–07 Regina Pats WHL 19 6 4 10 12
2006–07 Saskatoon Blades WHL 31 12 14 26 14
2007–08 Saskatoon Blades WHL 72 16 30 46 36
2008–09 Saskatoon Blades WHL 72 30 46 76 50 7 3 4 7 4
2009–10 Saskatoon Blades WHL 72 31 53 84 71 10 2 7 39 4
2010–11 Tulsa Oilers CHL 21 4 10 14 0
2010–11 University of Saskatchewan CIS 11 2 4 6 0 1 0 1 1 0
2011–12 University of Saskatchewan CIS 28 11 33 44 14 8 1 7 8 6
2012–13 University of Saskatchewan CIS 20 8 17 25 8 6 4 4 8 0
2013–14 University of Saskatchewan CIS 28 13 35 48 12 3 2 1 3 4
2013–14 Texas Stars AHL 5 1 1 2 62 3 0 0 0 0
2014–15 Texas Stars AHL 68 21 23 44 26 3 0 0 0 0
2015–16 Texas Stars AHL 69 17 23 40 16 4 1 0 1 0
2016–17 Utica Comets AHL 17 4 1 5 4
2018–19 Hershey Bears AHL 8 2 1 3 0
2018–19 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 35 1 3 4 6 4 1 1 2 0
2019–20 Manitoba Moose AHL 18 2 1 3 10
AHL totals 220 48 53 101 124 14 2 1 3 0

References

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  1. ^ "History | Past Champions". U Sports. 2023-03-19. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  2. ^ "Major W.J. 'Danny' McLeod Award (Championship MVP)" (PDF). U Sports. 2019-03-17. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  3. ^ Meserve, Stephen (26 February 2015). "Derek Hulak Should Be Dallas' Next Undrafted Free Agent Signing". Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  4. ^ "Saskatoon's Derek Hulak brings home AHL's Calder Cup". cbc.ca. August 13, 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  5. ^ Caswell, Mark (July 7, 2016). "COMETS SIGN DEREK HULAK". uticacomets.com. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  6. ^ "Phantoms sign 5 players to AHL contracts". Lehigh Valley Phantoms. 2017-07-06. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  7. ^ "Bears announces opening night roster". Hershey Bears. 2018-10-05. Retrieved 2018-10-05.
  8. ^ "Bears sign defenseman Sproul". Hershey Bears. December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  9. ^ "Griffins Sign Derek Hulak to PTO". Grand Rapids Griffins. December 5, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  10. ^ "Hulak signed to standard player contract". Grand Rapids Griffins. December 28, 2018. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  11. ^ "Moose announce opening night roster". Manitoba Moose. October 4, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  12. ^ "Derek Hulak completes foreign quota for Thurgau!" (in German). HC Thurgau. July 27, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  13. ^ Mingo, Rita (April 25, 2014). "BLG Awards: Derek Hulak realizing pro career after solid run with U of S Huskies hockey team". Calgary Herald. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
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