Jakub Vrána facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jakub Vrána
Vrána with the Washington Capitals in 2019
Born	(1996-02-28) 28 February 1996 (age 29) Prague, Czech Republic
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	197 lb (89 kg; 14 st 1 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Washington Capitals Linköping HC Detroit Red Wings St. Louis Blues
National team	Czech Republic
NHL Draft	13th overall, 2014 Washington Capitals
Playing career	2013–present

Jakub Vrána (born 28 February 1996) is a professional ice hockey player from the Czech Republic. He plays as a forward for the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Capitals chose Vrána as their 13th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He helped the Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018.

Early Life and First Steps in Hockey

Jakub Vrána was born in Prague, Czech Republic, on 28 February 1996. He started skating at a young age. When he was 15, he moved away from home to play in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Before that, he played in the 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with his team from Chomutov.

Playing Career Highlights

Playing in Sweden (SHL)

Jakub Vrána made his debut in the Elitserien with Linköping HC during the 2012–13 season. He was very young, becoming the youngest foreign player in the league's history. He spent the next season playing for both Linkoping's junior and senior teams. He scored three points in 24 games with the senior team. The NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him as one of the top European skaters.

Joining the Washington Capitals

Vrána with the Hershey Bears in 2015

The Washington Capitals picked Vrána in the first round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. After the draft, he signed a three-year contract with the Capitals. He returned to Sweden for the 2014–15 season. Then, he joined the Capitals' minor league team, the Hershey Bears, in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Vrána started his first full professional season in North America with the Bears in 2015–16. He scored two goals and four assists in six games before a wrist injury. He missed about three months but still finished with 16 goals and 18 assists in 36 games. He continued to play well in the playoffs, scoring eight goals and six assists.

In his second season, Vrána started with the Hershey Bears again. He was called up to the NHL for the first time on 29 November 2016. He made his NHL debut on 1 December against the New York Islanders. A few games later, on 9 December, Vrána scored his first NHL goal against the Buffalo Sabres. He also had his first game with multiple points, getting two assists.

Winning the Stanley Cup

Vrána made the Capitals' main roster for the 2017–18 season. He scored 13 goals and 14 assists in 73 games during his first full NHL season. He played in the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time. He scored his first playoff goal on 29 April 2018 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Capitals beat the Penguins and then won the Eastern Conference. Vrána scored the first goal in Game 5 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights. This helped the Capitals win their first ever Stanley Cup! Vrána finished the playoffs with eight points in 23 games.

During the 2018–19 season, Vrána had his best year yet. He scored more goals, assists, and points than ever before. He was the third-highest goal scorer on the team. Because of his great play, the Capitals signed him to a new two-year contract in July 2019.

Time with Detroit and St. Louis

On 12 April 2021, Vrána was traded to the Detroit Red Wings. He played very well for the Red Wings, scoring 11 points in 11 games. In one game against the Dallas Stars, he scored four goals! This was a big achievement for him.

In August 2021, Vrána signed a new contract with the Red Wings. He later faced an injury that kept him out for several months. He played 26 games in the 2021–22 season, scoring 13 goals and six assists. In January 2023, he was moved to the Red Wings' minor league team, the Grand Rapids Griffins.

On 3 March 2023, Vrána was traded again, this time to the St. Louis Blues. He seemed to find his scoring touch again with the Blues, scoring 10 goals in 20 games. He hoped to continue this success in the 2023–24 season. He played a few more games for the Blues before being sent to their AHL team, the Springfield Thunderbirds. He finished his contract with the Blues playing in the AHL.

Back to Washington

After his time with the Blues, Vrána became a free agent. On 15 August 2024, he was invited to try out for his original team, the Washington Capitals. He played well enough during training camp to make the team. He then signed a one-year contract to return to the Capitals.

Awards and Honors

Images for kids

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  Jakub Vrána playing for the Hershey Bears.