Jakub Voráček facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jakub Voráček
Voráček with the Philadelphia Flyers in December 2011
Born	(1989-08-15) 15 August 1989 (age 35) Kladno, Czechoslovakia
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	214 lb (97 kg; 15 st 4 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Left
Played for	HC Rabat Kladno Columbus Blue Jackets Philadelphia Flyers HC Lev Praha
National team	Czech Republic
NHL Draft	7th overall, 2007 Columbus Blue Jackets
Playing career	2005–2022

Jakub Voráček (born August 15, 1989) is a former professional ice hockey player from the Czech Republic. He played as a right winger for 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), which is the top ice hockey league in North America. He was chosen by the Columbus Blue Jackets as the seventh player picked in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

In 2011, Voráček was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. He played for the Flyers until 2021, when he was traded back to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He also played hockey in his home country, the Czech Republic, for teams like HC Rabat Kladno and HC Lev Praha.

Playing Career: Jakub Voráček's Journey in Hockey

Junior Hockey: Getting Started

Jakub Voráček started his journey in junior hockey. He was the very first player picked in the 2006 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft. This meant he got to play for the Halifax Mooseheads in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for two seasons.

He also proudly represented the Czech Republic at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship in both 2007 and 2008. On August 2, 2007, he signed his first big contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the NHL team that had drafted him.

Professional Career: Playing in the NHL

Columbus Blue Jackets: First NHL Steps

Voráček played his first NHL game on October 10, 2008, against the Dallas Stars. He even scored his first NHL goal in that very game! In his first season, he scored 9 goals and made 29 assists, helping the Blue Jackets reach the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time ever in 2009. He also helped set up the first playoff goal in the team's history.

Philadelphia Flyers: A New Home

On June 23, 2011, Voráček was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. Just a few days later, he signed a one-year contract with them. On the same day, his new team also signed Jaromír Jágr, another famous player from his hometown.

In his first game with the Flyers, Voráček scored a goal against the Boston Bruins. During the 2011–12 season, he scored a personal best of 18 goals. He also scored his first playoff goal in overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In July 2012, Voráček signed a four-year contract with the Flyers. He was expected to take on a big role, playing alongside star players like Claude Giroux.

During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, when NHL games were paused, Voráček went back to the Czech Republic to play for HC Lev Praha. When the NHL season started again, he scored his first career hat-trick (three goals in one game) against Pittsburgh on February 20, 2013. He was even named the NHL's First Star of the Week for his amazing performance.

Voráček with the Philadelphia Flyers in February 2016

In the 2014–15 season, Voráček scored a super-fast overtime goal against the Winnipeg Jets, just ten seconds into the extra period! This was one of the fastest overtime goals in Flyers history. Later that season, he was chosen to play in the 2015 National Hockey League All-Star Game in Columbus, Ohio. In that game, he tied a record by scoring six points, matching a record set by the legendary Mario Lemieux. Voráček finished that season with 22 goals and 59 assists, totaling 81 points, which was one of the best scores in the entire NHL.

In July 2015, Voráček signed a big eight-year contract with the Flyers. During the 2015–16 season, he reached two big milestones: his 400th NHL point and his 600th career NHL game. The Flyers made it to the playoffs that year, but they lost to the Washington Capitals.

At the start of the 2017–18 season, Voráček played on the Flyers' top line. He had his best season ever, scoring 85 points in 82 games. He was one of five Flyers players to score 20 or more goals that season, helping the team reach the playoffs again.

Return to Columbus: Back Where He Started

On July 24, 2021, Voráček was traded back to the Columbus Blue Jackets. This was the team that first drafted him!

On January 6, 2022, he played his 1,000th NHL game, which is a huge achievement for any hockey player.

Later, on November 6, 2022, while playing in Finland, he had to stop playing for a while due to an injury. He missed the rest of the 2022–23 season.

Retirement: Hanging Up the Skates

On March 2, 2023, the Blue Jackets traded Voráček to the Arizona Coyotes. It was clear that he would likely retire when his contract ended. After spending the entire next season recovering from his injury, Jakub Voráček officially announced his retirement from professional hockey on April 23, 2024.

Coaching Career: Sharing His Knowledge

Even before officially retiring, Jakub Voráček started a new chapter in his hockey life. In September 2023, he became an assistant coach for the Czech Extraliga (ELH) team Rytíři Kladno. His main job is to help players with their power play skills and to develop young players. The owner of this team is his former teammate and hockey legend, Jaromír Jágr.

Personal Life: Beyond the Rink

When Jakub Voráček was a child, he had a unique dream: he wanted to be a garbage man! In 2017, his sister gave him a special Christmas gift – the chance to ride along with garbage collectors on their route.

Jakub has two children, both sons. He is also a big fan of the famous musician Bruce Springsteen.

Awards and Honours: Celebrating Success

Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Czech Republic
World Championships
Gold	2010 Cologne
Bronze	2011 Bratislava
IIHF U18 Championships
Bronze	2006 Halmstad

Images for kids

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  Voráček with the Blue Jackets in October 2009