Doug Zmolek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Doug Zmolek |
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| Born | November 3, 1970 Rochester, Minnesota, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | ||
| Weight | 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb) | ||
| Position | Defense | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | San Jose Sharks Dallas Stars Los Angeles Kings Chicago Blackhawks |
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| National team |  United States |
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| NHL Draft | 7th overall, 1989 Minnesota North Stars |
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| Playing career | 1992–2000 | ||
Douglas Allan Zmolek (born November 3, 1970) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He played as a defenseman in the NHL. His career lasted for eight seasons, from 1992 to 2000.
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Doug Zmolek's Hockey Journey
Doug Zmolek finished high school in 1989. He was a very talented young player. The Minnesota North Stars picked him in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. This draft is where NHL teams choose young players. Doug was the seventh player chosen overall.
After high school, Doug went to the University of Minnesota. He played college hockey there. In his final year, 1992, he was recognized as one of the best college players. He made the WCHA Second All-Star Team. He was also named to the NCAA Second All-American Team.
Starting in the NHL
Doug Zmolek started his NHL career in the 1992–93 season. He played for the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks got him in a special draft in 1991. This happened after the North Stars team moved.
During his second year, Doug was traded back to the Stars team. By then, the team had moved and become the Dallas Stars.
Playing for Different Teams
Doug was known as a "stay-at-home defenseman." This means his main job was to defend his team's goal. He focused on blocking shots and stopping opponents. He wasn't usually the player scoring lots of goals.
He played for the Dallas Stars for a couple of seasons. Then, he also played for the Los Angeles Kings. Later, he joined the Chicago Blackhawks.
Doug retired from professional hockey in 2000. He played a total of 467 NHL games. He scored 11 goals and had 53 assists. This gave him 64 points in his NHL career. He also had 905 penalty minutes.
Life After Hockey
After retiring, Doug Zmolek stayed involved in hockey. He helps the Rochester Youth Hockey Association. He is an advisor and a board member. He also runs a hockey camp called Top Shelf. It's held in his hometown of Rochester, MN.
Doug has three sons: Riese, William, and Bennett. All of them play hockey. He also has a daughter named Ella.
Awards and Special Mentions
Doug Zmolek received several honors during his college hockey career:
- All-WCHA Second Team: He was chosen as one of the best players in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in 1991–92.
- AHCA West Second-Team All-American: This award recognized him as one of the top college players in the western United States in 1991–92.
- WCHA All-Tournament Team: He was part of the best players in the 1992 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
