Marek Tvrdon

Marek Tvrdon (born January 31, 1993) is a Slovak junior ice hockey winger with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He has previously played with HK Nitra's junior and Slovak Extraliga teams. Selected 115th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, he is a prospect for the Detroit Red Wings.

Playing career
Born in Nitra, Slovakia, Tvrdon developed with his hometown's HK Nitra junior program. Beginning at the under-18 level in 2007–08, he went on to to the under-20 level two years later, scoring 56 points (25 goals and 31 assists) over 45 games. During the 2009–10 season, he also played six games with HK Nitra's men's team in the Slovak Extraliga.

During the subsequent 2010–11 season, Tvrdon moved to North America to play for the major junior Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He began the campaign with 11 points (6 goals and 5 assists) in 12 games before suffering a shoulder injury in mid-October 2010. The following month, he underwent season-ending surgery. In the off-season, he was selected 115th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. Giant general manager Scott Bonner speculated that if he had played the full season prior to the draft, he would have been selected much higher, perhaps as a "first or second-round pick". Tvrdon has been described as a player with size and skill, while Giants head coach Don Hay listed his work ethic as a weakness following his first WHL season.

International play
Tvrdon competed with Slovakia at the 2010 IIHF World U18 Championships. He recorded four points (three goals and an assist) over six games. Two years later, he moved on to the under-20 level with the Slovakia's national junior team at the 2012 IIHF World U20 Championships. He recorded four points (three goals and an assist) over six games, fifth in team scoring. Slovakia finished sixth in the tournament after losing their quarterfinal and the fifth place consolation match.