Ľubomír Višňovský facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ľubomír Višňovský
Višňovský with the New York Islanders in 2013
Born	(1976-08-11) 11 August 1976 (age 48) Topoľčany, Czechoslovakia
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	192 lb (87 kg; 13 st 10 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	HC Slovan Bratislava Los Angeles Kings Edmonton Oilers Anaheim Ducks New York Islanders
National team	Slovakia
NHL Draft	118th overall, 2000 Los Angeles Kings
Playing career	1994–2016

Ľubomír Višňovský (Slovak pronunciation: [ˈʎubɔmiːr ˈʋiʂɲɔwskiː]; born 11 August 1976) is a Slovak former professional ice hockey defenceman. He began and finished his career with his hometown club, HC Slovan Bratislava. He played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, and New York Islanders.

Playing career

Prior to joining the NHL, Višňovský played with HC Slovan Bratislava. He was drafted 118th overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings as their fourth choice. He made the team for the 2000–01 season and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team after a 39-point campaign, tops among rookie defencemen. Višňovský remained with the Kings for seven seasons, recording a career-high 67 points in 2005–06 and being named to the 2007 NHL All-Star Game. He returned to play in his home country for the locked out 2004–05 season.

Višňovský with the Edmonton Oilers in 2009

On 29 June 2008, Višňovský was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for forward Jarret Stoll and defenceman Matt Greene, on the day before his no-trade clause would take effect. He was put on the injured reserve on 5 February 2009, after dislocating his shoulder in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on 3 February. It was later revealed Višňovský required season-ending surgery to repair his labrum.

On 3 March 2010, Višňovský was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for Ryan Whitney and a sixth-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. On 4 March 2011, Višňovský scored the first hat trick by a defenceman in Anaheim Ducks history, the third goal coming with four seconds left in overtime.

On 22 June 2012, Višňovský was traded to the New York Islanders for a second round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Shortly thereafter, Višňovský filed a grievance through the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) seeking to void the trade, claiming that the no-trade clause in his original contract with Los Angeles was still valid, since he never revoked it when Edmonton traded him to Anaheim. An arbitrator ruled against Višňovský in this case and the trade was upheld.

The Islanders suspended Višňovský because he did not report to the team for the start of the NHL season. His agent, Neil Sheehy, said on 26 January 2013, that Višňovský will report to the team by 11 February. Višňovský later signed a two-year extension with the Islanders worth $4.75 million per year.

After parts of three seasons with the Islanders, Višňovský left as a free agent and was unsigned over the summer. On 16 September 2015, he was signed to a professional tryout (PTO) contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. Upon his release at the conclusion of training camp by the Blackhawks, Višňovský returned to HC Slovan Bratislava midway into the 2015–16 season, signing a one-year deal on 27 October 2015. Višňovský announced his retirement in March 2016.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Višňovský at the 2008 World Championships
Medal record
Representing  Slovakia
Ice hockey
World Championships
Bronze	2003 Helsinki
Gold	2002 Gothenburg
Silver	2000 St. Petersburg
Inline Hockey
World Championships
Silver	2008 Bratislava

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1994	Slovakia	WJC C	17th		4	1	1	2	0
1995	Slovakia	WJC B	10th		7	1	6	7	4
1996	Slovakia	WJC	7th		6	1	5	6	4
1996	Slovakia	WC	10th		5	0	1	1	4
1996	Slovakia	WCH	7th		1	0	0	0	0
1997	Slovakia	WC	9th		8	0	1	1	4
1998	Slovakia	OG	10th		3	0	0	0	2
1998	Slovakia	WC	7th		4	0	0	0	2
1999	Slovakia	WC	7th		6	0	2	2	6
2000	Slovakia	WC	2		9	0	6	6	2
2002	Slovakia	OG	13th		3	1	2	3	0
2002	Slovakia	WC	1		5	2	1	3	2
2003	Slovakia	WC	3		9	4	8	12	2
2004	Slovakia	WCH	7th		4	0	0	0	6
2005	Slovakia	WC	5th		7	2	6	8	0
2006	Slovakia	OG	5th		6	1	1	2	0
2008	Slovakia	WC	13th		5	2	7	9	0
2010	Slovakia	OG	4th		7	2	1	3	0
2011	Slovakia	WC	10th		3	0	2	2	0
Junior totals					17	3	12	15	8
Senior totals					85	14	38	52	30

Awards and honours

Višňovský (shown here in 2006) was named to the NHL All-Star Game in 2007.