Watch above: Derek Hulak is thriving in the AHL, but as Kim Thue reports, a hometown friend is in his thoughts and prayers.
SASKATOON – In his first full season of professional hockey, Derek Hulak flourished. He made the most of the opportunity in his first full season in the AHL, finishing ninth in the league’s rookie scoring race with 44 points.
The 25-year-old Saskatoon product is now closer than ever to realizing his NHL dreams.
“Once you are down in the AHL and you see some of the high end players there, you kind of compare yourself,” says Hulak. “For me it was a lot of a feeling out process and I’m hoping that I was able to turn a few heads. We’ll see where this goes from there.”
Hulak scored 21 goals this past season with the Texas Stars, none that had more meaning than the two he tallied on Jan. 31, 2015.
On the same weekend the Saskatchewan Huskies honoured former teammate Cody Smuk, who continues his battle with cancer, 3,000 kilometers away, Hulak donned his own “Marty’s Men” helmet decal, and then proceeded to score two goals in his good friend’s honour.
READ MORE: Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team supporting “Marty’s Men”
“I had the trainer of the U of S Huskies (Garrett Saxton) was able to get me a few stickers to put on my helmet,” says Hulak. “For me it was just kind of a way to show support. The fact that I was able to score a few goals that game added to the story.”
While Hulak’s season has come to an end, Smuk’s battle continues.
The former Huskie was diagnosed with testicular cancer and a tumor that was present in his lung in May of 2014.
After months of ineffective chemotherapy, Smuk and his family left for Germany in late April to undergo vaccine therapy.
READ MORE: Former Huskie Cody Smuk travels to Germany for cancer treatment
What was originally suppose to be a two week trip, turned into a month, and while Smuk is now back home, the support from the community is still vital.
“Cody is the one who is the one going through the fight. He’s the one that needs all the support. We’re just there trying to be his support-net, trying to help him any way we can, whether it’s being a friend, raising awareness or helping to raise money, which is now a pretty significant factor in his battle with cancer.”
To date, over $115,000 has been raised thru Cody’s go fund me page, set up by his fiancée Steph.
Throughout Hulak’s life, both on the ice and off it, he has felt the support and love of his home town and he is confident Saskatoon and the surrounding community will continue to step up for his good friend.
“For me knowing Cody my entire life, growing up on the same street as him, playing hockey with him the whole way through, it’s amazing to see the support that he has,” conveys Hulak. “It really makes you proud to be from a place like Saskatoon when all this stuff is going on and you see the support from the community.”
To show your support for Cody’s fight, head to his gofundme page.
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