‘I don’t want to run away’: Filip Hronek on Canucks’ rebuild

Filip Hronek is set to be one of the oldest players on the Vancouver Canucks this season, but the 28-year-old veteran defenseman isn’t jumping ship on the rebuilding team.

While he has shown frustration in the past with the Canucks’ direction and the struggles that come with playing for a losing team, the rebuilding phase the organization is in may be a different kind of challenge. After all, it would be the team’s choice to move him, considering his current contract runs through the end of the 2031-32 season, with an average annual value of $7.25 million.

Speaking to reporters on Monday at the Jake Milford Canucks Charity Invitational Golf Tournament, Hronek said, “I don’t want to run away,” when asked about sticking around for the first clear-cut year of what is expected to be a lengthy rebuild.

“Obviously winning is really important, but I just don’t want to run away,” he said, looking to build on his eight goals and 49 points in 82 games from last season. “I think we can build something special.”

Hronek’s words come as fall marks the end of a formative summer for the Canucks, which saw the organization move on from general manager Patrik Allvin and president of hockey operations, Jim Rutherford, in favor of co-presidents Henrik and Daniel Sedin and a new GM in Ryan Johnson.

With those appointments, the team finally has a sense of direction, aiming to execute a full rebuild instead of retooling to maintain mediocrity. As such, this season will likely test the mentality of Hronek and the rest of the Canucks, as they are not widely expected to finish anywhere near the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Canucks will open their preseason schedule on Sept. 19 on the road against the Seattle Kraken, leading up to their visit to the Edmonton Oilers on Sept. 29, where they will drop the puck on the 84-game regular-season schedule.