Fifth Round (#135 Overall): Justin Florek
38 picks after the Bruins took Craig Cunningham at 97th overall, the Boston Bruins were back on the clock. At this pick, they took forward Justin Florek out of Northern Michigan University. Here is what hockey’s future had to say about the college forward:
“Florek is a power forward who uses his large frame and long reach quite advantageously especially with the puck. He is particularly dangerous around the net. While he is still growing into his body, Florek is quite strong on his skates and is difficult to move off of the puck. He possesses some nice hands and also has an excellent wrist shot. Being able to bring all of the elements of his game together on a more consistent basis will greatly help his future success.”
In his draft year, Florek recorded 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points in 41 games with Northern Michigan. Following the draft, he stayed in Northern Michigan for more development. He posted 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points in 39 games, a bit of a step back.
In 2011-12, Florek remained with his college team. Playing 37 games in his final college season, Florek posted 19 goals and 17 assists, by far his best season. He got brought into the Providence Bruins roster following the end of his collegiate season, playing in 8 games. He recorded 2 goals and 2 assists in his first stint in professional hockey. Not too shabby for a fifth-round pick.
In 2012-13, Florek played with Providence for a full season. In 71 AHL games and his first real taste of professional hockey, he recorded 11 goals and 16 assists for a solid 27 points. He also had a pretty impressive +12 plus/minus. That season, Providence made the playoffs. There, he played in 12 games with a meager stat line of 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points.
In 2013-14, Florek played in 69 games with Providence. He recorded 19 goals and 19 assists for 38 points, a substantial improvement from his AHL rookie campaign.
That performance granted him an NHL stint of 4 games. He posted a decent goal and assist in that small stint, for 2 points. He managed to slot into 6 NHL postseason games with Boston, recording just one goal. After the Boston Bruins were eliminated, he was sent back to Providence and played 4 postseason games there, racking up another goal.
In 2014-15, Florek started and remained with Providence. Playing in 73 games, he posted yet another decent stat line of 11 goals and 24 assists for 35 points. In 5 playoff games with Providence, he didn’t register a single point. Growing increasingly frustrated that he wasn’t with the big squad, he looked elsewhere in the league, as his contract was expiring.
In the 2015-16 off-season, Florek signed with the Islanders. He reported to the AHL Bridgeport Sound Tigers, playing 76 games with 7 goals and 9 assists for 16 points. He slotted into 3 playoff games, only recording a goal. A change of scenery seriously affected his game, as he took a major step back in his development that year.
In 2015-16, due to his down year with the Islanders, he signed with the Predators with the hope to get his career back on track. Playing with their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, he did much better playing in 75 games, he scored 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points. He also played 3 postseason games but did not register any points. Again, he did not get a chance at the NHL, taking his talents elsewhere.
In 2017-18, Florek left North America to play hockey in Germany (DEL). He signed with the Iserlohn Roosters. Since joining, he has recorded 19 goals and 23 assists for 42 points in 103 games. It’s safe to say that, after posting not-so-good numbers in a far more inferior league, he did not belong in the NHL.