Ryan Reaves warns the rest of the NHL!

Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Reaves is about as tough as they come, and unfortunately for Detroit Red Wings defenseman Filip Hronek, he got a first hand demonstration of why it’s a bad idea to have your head down when the former is patrolling the ice. 

Reaves caught Hronek just inside the blue line with a massive open ice body check, ending his evening: 

Reaves would not be penalized on the play, though he would have to square up with defenseman Ben Chiarot soon afterward. 

In the Wild dressing room of what would eventually be a 4-1 victory, Reaves stated that while he hopes that Hronek is okay following the massive hit, his opponents must be aware of when he’s out there. 

“Honestly, he locked eyes with me. Like, I saw him look at me and then he just kind of turned his head and held on to the puck,” Reaves said in the dressing room afterward. “I hope he’s OK, but you’ve gotta know when I’m on ice and definitely don’t skate at me like that.”

The 35 year old Reaves is in his first season with the Wild after having been acquired earlier this year from the New York Rangers in exchange for fifth-round 2025 NHL Draft pick. 

According to Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde, Hronek was pushing to re-enter the game, but League rules prevented him from doing so. He’ll need to see a doctor back home in Detroit before being allowed to play again, though the fact that he wanted to return is an encouraging sign. 

“The fact he was pushing to come back and was extremely disappointed, to the point of being upset, I hope is a good sign,” Lalonde said. “But they did the right thing.”