Justin Florek

History

2005-06: Playing for the Marquette Electricians, Justin Florek recorded 59 points (26 goals, 33 assists) in just 55 games.

2006-07: Florek joined the US NTDP U-17 team and was dynamic.  Florek led the U-17 squad in goals (21), power play goals (9), and points (32) to go along with 11 assists in 66 games played.

2007-08: Florek took a step backwards after joining the U-18 team.  Playing in 55 games, Florek only recorded 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) with four of his goals coming on the power play.  According to NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings, Florek is the 113th overall North American skater for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

2008-09: Florek entered his freshman season at Northern Michigan University.  Florek got off to a somewhat of slow start to his college career, but had a strong finish to his rookie campaign. He was named the recipient of the team’s Don Waddell Award as the top freshman after leading the Wildcats in rookie scoring with 17 points (nine goals, eight assists) in 40 games. He also finished second on the team with a plus-19.

2009-10: Played in 41 games for Northern Michigan.  He scored 12 goals and added 23 assists for 35 points, doubling his production from his freshman season.  He also picked up 22 penalty minutes.  The Boston Bruins drafted Florek in the fifth round of the 2010 NHL Draft.

2010-11: Florek was the second-leading scorer for Northern Michigan as a junior, finishing with 15 goals and 29 assists in 39 games. Florek scored 6 of his 14 goals on the power play and had three game-winners. He had a -5 plus/minus and 14 PMs for the Wildcats (15-19-5), who finished sixth in the 11-team CCHA and were upset by last place Bowling Green in a three-game series in the conference tournament.

2011-12: Florek signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Bruins in March 2012 following his senior season at Northern Michigan and made his pro hockey debut – skating for Boston’s AHL affiliate Providence. In eight games with Providence he scored 2 goals with 2 assists and was plus-three with 2 penalty minutes. Providence missed the AHL playoffs; finishing fourth in the Atlantic Division.  Florek was the second-leading scorer for Northern Michigan behind fellow senior Tyler Gron in his final college season, leading the Wildcats with a career-high 19 goals and adding 17 assists. He finished the year plus-four and had 18 penalty minutes in 37 games. Nine of his goals were scored on the power play. The Wildcats finished sixth in the CCHA.

2012-13: Florek skated for the Bruins’ AHL affiliate in Providence in his first pro season. He scored 11 goals with 16 assists and was +12 with 37 penalty minutes in 71 games. Providence finished first in the Atlantic Division and reached the second round in the playoffs. Florek scored 1 goal with 2 assists and was -1 with 4 penalty minutes in 12 playoff games.

2013-14: Florek made his NHL debut in three January games with the Bruins and re-joined Boston at the end of the season — skating in one regular season contest and six playoff games —  after spending most of the year with AHL affiliate Providence. He scored 1 goal with 1 assist and was +1, averaging 11:50 minutes of ice time, in four regular season games. Florek scored 1 goal with an even plus/minus and 4 penalty minutes in six playoff games. In 60 AHL regular season games with the Providence Bruins he scored 19 goals with 19 assists and was +17 with 27 penalty minutes. Providence finished third in the Atlantic Division and reached the second round in the playoffs. Florek scored 1 goal and was -1 with no penalties in four AHL playoff games. He was tendered a qualifying offer and re-signed by the Bruins as a restricted free agent to a one-year contract in July 2014. 

Talent Analysis

Florek is a big, heavy, two-way, power forward, who uses his large frame and long reach to work the walls and maintain possession down low. He is particularly dangerous around the net, where he digs in and cleans up the garbage. He has an excellent shot. Florek is strong on his skates and is difficult to move off of the puck. He’s a willing physical player and hits more as the game warrants but he’s not an intimidator. He possesses some nice hands and an evolving passing game. He is very responsible defensively and can be used to kill penalties.

Future

Florek entered the Bruins' training camp hoping to seize an NHL roster spot after playing in the playoffs the previous spring but was assigned to AHL affiliate Providence at the beginning of the 2014-15 season. Heading into his fourth pro season, he’s one of the most gifted scorers in Providence. He projects as a third or fourth line checking player at the NHL level but with the depth in the Bruins' organization he may have to head elsewhere to receive an opportunity.