Detroit Red Wing Jiri Hudler's departure for the KHL in 2009 left many people scratching their heads, because it seemed as though he was in line for more ice time last season. Now, one year after the fact, the mystery has been solved. There's little chance he would be subject to such huge (and arguably illegal) open-ice hits overseas where players need to keep their arms as close to their bodies as possible to keep from freezing to death. This devastating check by Mike Brown in the spring of 2009 answers that question as well as the following one: "What did Toronto Maple Leafs general manager and known goon-collector Brian Burke ever see in the ex-Anaheim Duck?"
With Hudler back from Moscow, one has to believe that his return has something to do with his off-ice camaraderie with teammates and overall welcome presence in the dressing room (see below).
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