Jiri Hudler Named NHL’s First Star Of Week

In the afterglow of the Calgary Flames completing a 4-2-1 record on their epic seven-game road trip, there’s a bit more good news.

Jiri Hudler was named the NHL’s First Star of the Week for his work over the past seven days.

Hudler, 31, is a native of the Czech Republic. As the focal point of the Flames’ top line, he had eight points of the past week and has taken over the lead in team scoring from the injured Mark Giordano. Through 65 games, he has 56 points and 23 goals.

Hudler joined the Flames in the summer of 2012 as a free agent, but has really come into his own over the past two seasons as a mentor for some of the team’s youngsters.