Lukáš Krajíček facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lukáš Krajíček |
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Krajíček with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2009
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| Born | March 11, 1983 Prostějov, Czechoslovakia |
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| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | ||
| Weight | 207 lb (94 kg; 14 st 11 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| ELH team Former teams |
HC Oceláři Třinec Florida Panthers Vancouver Canucks Tampa Bay Lightning Philadelphia Flyers HC Dinamo Minsk |
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| National team |  Czech Republic |
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| NHL Draft | 24th overall, 2001 Florida Panthers |
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| Playing career | 2002–2020 | ||
Lukáš Krajíček (born March 11, 1983) is a former professional ice hockey player from the Czech Republic. He played as a defenceman, which means his main job was to protect his team's goal. Lukáš played for several teams in the National Hockey League (NHL) in North America. These teams included the Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Philadelphia Flyers. He also played in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for HC Dinamo Minsk and for HC Oceláři Třinec in the Czech Extraliga (ELH).
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Lukáš's Hockey Journey
Lukáš Krajíček started his hockey career playing in a league called the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for the Peterborough Petes. This was a big step for young players hoping to play professionally. In 2001, when he was still playing junior hockey, the Florida Panthers chose him in the first round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. This is a special event where NHL teams pick young players to join their clubs. Lukáš was the 24th player picked overall, which is a great achievement!
After being drafted, he stayed with the Petes for two more seasons. He got much better, scoring 53 points in 52 games during his last year of junior hockey in 2002–03.
Playing in the NHL and AHL
In the 2003–04 season, Lukáš split his time between the Florida Panthers in the NHL and their minor league team, the San Antonio Rampage, in the American Hockey League (AHL). The AHL is often where young players get more experience before playing full-time in the NHL.
Because of a big player lockout in the NHL during the 2004–05 season, Lukáš played the whole year with the San Antonio Rampage. When the NHL started up again, he earned a full-time spot with the Florida Panthers. He played well, getting 16 points in 67 games.
Moving to Vancouver
After that season, Lukáš was part of a big trade that involved several players. He, along with star goalie Roberto Luongo, was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. In return, the Panthers received Todd Bertuzzi, Alex Auld, and Bryan Allen.
With the Canucks, Lukáš continued to play strong defense. He scored 16 points again in the 2006–07 season, matching his previous year's performance. However, his second season in Vancouver was cut short because of an injury.
Other NHL Teams
On October 6, 2008, Lukáš was traded again, this time to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He played for them for a while before signing with the Philadelphia Flyers on January 31, 2010. He continued to play solid defense for these teams.
Playing in Europe
After his time in the NHL, Lukáš decided to play in Europe. On May 27, 2011, he signed with HC Dinamo Minsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). The KHL is a major professional league in Europe and Asia. He quickly became one of their top defencemen. People liked his reliable and smart play in his own team's defensive area. He was even named the best defenceman of the first week of the 2011–12 KHL season!
Later in his career, Lukáš returned to his home country to play for HC Oceláři Třinec in the Czech Extraliga (ELH). He finished his professional hockey career in 2020.
International Play
Lukáš Krajíček also proudly represented the Czech Republic in international competitions. He won several medals for his country:
| Medal record | ||
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| Representing Czech Republic |
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| World Championships | ||
| Silver | 2006 Riga | |
| Bronze | 2011 Bratislava | |
| Bronze | 2012 Helsinki | |
