Marek Hrivik

History

2007-08: Marek Hrivik played for MsHK Zilina’S U18 and U20 squads scoring a combined 21 goals and 24 assists in 57 appearances. He also represented Team Slovakia at the U18 WJC, scoring a goal in six contests.

2008-09: Played for the U20 Team Slovakia in the Slovak elite league (development team). Posted 14 points in 34 games. Also played for Slovakia’s U18 and U20 team’s at each of the WJC’s; tallied two goals and five points in six games with the U18 squad and one goal in seven games with the U20 team.  Drafted in the first round (34th overall) of the 2009 CHL Import Draft by the Moncton Wildcats.

2009-10: In his QMJHL rookie season, Hrivik played in 66 games for the Wildcats.  He scored 26 goals and added 29 assists for 55 points, finishing a +24 for the season.  In 21 playoff games, Hrivik scored 5 goals and chipped in 12 assists for 13 points to help the Wildcats win the QMJHL championship.

2010-11: Hrivik led the Moncton Wildcats with 38 goals in his second QMJHL season and represented Slovakia at the 2011 U20 World Junior Championship. He was the Wildcats’ second-leading scorer, finishing with 41 assists and 79 points (six behind team-leader Alex Saunier) and was minus-eight with 18 penalty minutes. He skated in four of five games in the playoff series with Lewiston (receiving a one game suspension) and led the Wildcats in points with six (all assists). In six games for eighth-place Slovakia at the WJC he had 2 goals and was minus-two. Hrivik was invited to Phoenix’ development camp after passing through the 2011 NHL Draft but was not signed by the Coyotes.

2011-12: Hrivik made his pro debut with Connecticut, signing an amateur tryout contract following his third season with Moncton. After scoring 1 goal in eight regular season games with the Whale, he shared the team scoring lead in the playoffs with line mate Casey Wellman, finishing with 9 points in nine games. Connecticut reached the second round after finishing second in the Northeast Division and Hrivik scored a team-leading 5 goals with 4 assists and 10 penalty minutes. He was the third-leading scorer for Moncton in his final season of junior behind twin brothers Alex and Allain Saunier. Hrivik had 29 goals with 41 assists and was plus-13 with 8 penalty minutes. He scored 1 goal with 2 assists and was minus-six in Moncton’s four-game playoff series against Halifax. Hrivik signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Rangers in May, 2012.

2012-13: Hrivik skated in 40 games for Rangers AHL affiliate as a 20-year-old – missing nearly three months due to a pair of concussions. One of the Whale’s top scorers at the time of his injury, he finished with 7 goals and 19 assists and was -2 with 10 penalty minutes. Connecticut missed the AHL playoffs by two points despite finishing second in the Northeast Division.

2013-14: Hrivik skated in 74 games for re-christened Rangers’ AHL affiliate Hartford in his second pro season and represented Slovakia in the 2014 IIHF World Championship. He scored 13 goals with 14 assists and was +2 with 22 penalty minutes for the Wolf Pack, scoring five of his 14 goals on the power play. Hartford missed the AHL playoffs, finishing third in the Northeast Division. Hrivik had an even plus/minus with no points nor penalties in six games for Slovakia at the World Championship. Slovakia finished ninth, missing the quarterfinals after finishing behind France for the final spot from Group A. 

2014-15: Hrivik returned to Hartford for his third AHL season and was tied for fourth in scoring for the Wolf Pack during their playoff run to the Eastern Conference finals. He scored 12 goals with 21 assists in 72 regular season games and was +8 with 12 penalty minutes. Hartford finished first in the Northeast Division and rolled through the playoffs before being swept by Kings’ affiliate Manchester in the Eastern Conference finals. Hrivik scored 3 goals with 6 assists and was -1 with 6 penalty minutes in 15 playoff games. The Rangers re-signed Hrivik to a one-year contract as a restricted free agent in July 2015.

2015-16: Hrivik made his long-awaited NHL debut with the Rangers on February 21st in a game against Detroit and skated in five regular season games with New York in his fourth pro season; spending most of the year with the Hartford Wolf Pack. He had one point — an assist — and was +3 with no penalties — averaging 10:43 minutes of ice time with New York. Hrivik was Hartford’s second-leading scorer behind 28-year-old Chad Nehring. 

Talent Analysis

Hrivik is talented offensively and has shown a willingness to do the smaller things that help win hockey games. He has a quick shot and a nose for the net and is a constant threat in the offensive zone. His skating was an issue coming out of junior hockey and he struggles at times with consistent effort, Hrivik is at his best when he engaging the opposition and using his body to create chances and protect the puck.

Future

Hrivik was one of the top forwards for New York Rangers' AHL affiliate Hartford in 2015-16 and was rewarded with his first NHL action. He will become an unrestricted free agent if not tendered a qualifying offer this summer but may have earned himself another one-year deal with New York. He has potential as a playmaker and projects as a sound two-way lower line forward.