Justin Florek (born May 17, 1990) is an American professional ice hockey player. He primarily plays as a left wing.
Florek was born in Marquette, Michigan, and played junior hockey before committing to Providence College. He was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the fifth round, 135th overall, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Playing Career:
- Collegiate: Florek played four seasons (2008–2012) with the Providence Friars in the NCAA's Hockey East conference. He served as team captain in his senior year (2011–12).
- Professional (North America):
- Following his college career, Florek signed an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks. He made his professional debut with the Sharks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Worcester Sharks, during the 2011–12 season.
- He made his National Hockey League (NHL) debut with the San Jose Sharks during the 2013–14 season, playing 10 regular-season games and 2 playoff games. He scored his first NHL goal on March 30, 2014, against the Dallas Stars.
- After his tenure in the Sharks organization, Florek played for several other AHL teams, including the Milwaukee Admirals, Charlotte Checkers, and Providence Bruins.
- Florek was a key member of the Charlotte Checkers team that won the Calder Cup, the AHL championship, in the 2018–19 season.
- Professional (Europe):
- In 2019, Florek moved to Europe, signing with ERC Ingolstadt in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), Germany's top-tier league.
- He later played for EC Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Hockey League (ICE Hockey League), where he continued his career.
- International: Florek represented the United States at the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he helped the team win a bronze medal.
Career Highlights and Awards:
- Bronze Medal – IIHF World U18 Championships (2008)
- Calder Cup Champion – AHL (2019)