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Marek Židlický
Marek Zidlicky - New Jersey Devils.jpg
Židlický with the New Jersey Devils in 2013
Born (1977-02-03) 3 February 1977 (age 48)
Most, Czechoslovakia
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Right
Played for HC Kladno
Helsingin IFK
Nashville Predators
Minnesota Wild
New Jersey Devils
Detroit Red Wings
New York Islanders
National team Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech Republic
NHL Draft 176th overall, 2001
New York Rangers
Playing career 1994–2016

Marek Židlický (born February 3, 1977) is a former professional ice hockey player from the Czech Republic. He played as a defenceman in the National Hockey League (NHL). The New York Rangers chose him in the sixth round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing Career Highlights

Starting in Finland

Marek Židlický was picked 176th overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. The New York Rangers selected him on June 24, 2001. Before this, Židlický had a great season in Finland. He played for HIFK in the Finnish SM-liiga league. He was third on his team in assists with 25. He also tied for second in total points with 37. He was the top-scoring defenceman in the entire league. This strong performance made the Rangers want to draft him.

Contract Challenges

However, Židlický and the Rangers could not agree on a contract. Židlický wanted a "one-way" contract. This meant he would get paid the same amount of money. It did not matter if he played in the NHL or the minor league. He was worried about spending too much time in the minor leagues. The Rangers only offered a "two-way" contract. This type of contract would pay him less if he played in the minor league. Because of these differences, Židlický decided to stay in Finland. He continued to play for HIFK.

Židlický played two more strong years for HIFK. He led his team in points in 2001–02 with 40 points. The next season, he tied for the team lead with 47 points. The Rangers realized Židlický would not come to North America without his preferred contract. So, they traded him on December 12, 2002. He was traded to the Nashville Predators.

Joining the NHL: Nashville Predators

Marek Zidlicky Wild
Židlický as a member of the Minnesota Wild

Židlický joined the Predators for the 2003–04 season. This was a very successful year for him. He earned his first NHL point in his first game. This happened on October 10, 2003. The Predators won 3–1 against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He scored his first NHL goal the very next day. He played all 82 games in his first season. He was the first Predator to do this.

During the first-ever Predators playoff game, Židlický got injured. He suffered a concussion and could not play more games. This was against the Detroit Red Wings. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Židlický went back to play for HIFK. On May 8, 2006, he signed a new four-year contract. It was worth $13.5 million with the Predators.

Moving to Minnesota and New Jersey

On July 1, 2008, Židlický was traded to the Minnesota Wild. He was traded for Ryan Jones and a draft pick. During his second season with the Wild, he signed a new contract. It was a three-year extension on March 2, 2010.

On February 24, 2012, Židlický was traded again. He went from the Minnesota Wild to the New Jersey Devils. The Devils gave up several players and draft picks for him. In July 2013, he signed another contract with the Devils. On June 3, 2014, he signed a one-year contract. It was worth $3 million, plus extra money for good performance.

Later Career: Detroit and New York

On March 2, 2015, the Devils traded Židlický to the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings needed a veteran defenceman. They wanted someone who shot right-handed for their power play. Židlický fit this need perfectly. In his first game with the Red Wings on March 4, he scored the winning goal. It was in overtime against the New York Rangers.

On September 18, 2015, Židlický signed with the New York Islanders. He joined them as a free agent for one year.

Career Records

  • Nashville Predators team record for assists in one game (5).
  • Nashville Predators team record for power play points in a season (35).

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1994–95 Poldi SONP Kladno ELH 30 2 2 4 36 11 1 1 2 12
1995–96 HC Poldi Kladno ELH 37 4 5 9 74 7 1 1 2 8
1996–97 HC Poldi Kladno ELH 49 5 16 21 60 2 0 0 0 0
1997–98 HC Velvana Kladno ELH 51 2 13 15 119
1998–99 HC Velvana Kladno ELH 50 10 12 22 92
1999–2000 HIFK SM-l 47 4 16 20 66 9 3 2 5 24
2000–01 HIFK SM-l 51 12 25 37 146 5 0 1 1 6
2001–02 HIFK SM-l 56 11 29 40 107
2002–03 HIFK SM-l 54 10 37 47 79 4 0 0 0 4
2003–04 Nashville Predators NHL 82 14 39 53 82 1 0 0 0 0
2004–05 HIFK SM-l 49 11 20 31 91 5 0 3 3 14
2005–06 Nashville Predators NHL 67 12 37 49 82 2 0 1 1 2
2006–07 Nashville Predators NHL 79 4 26 30 72 7 0 2 2 4
2007–08 Nashville Predators NHL 79 5 38 43 63 6 0 3 3 8
2008–09 Minnesota Wild NHL 76 12 30 42 76
2009–10 Minnesota Wild NHL 78 6 37 43 67
2010–11 Minnesota Wild NHL 46 7 17 24 30
2011–12 Minnesota Wild NHL 41 0 14 14 24
2011–12 New Jersey Devils NHL 22 2 6 8 10 24 1 8 9 22
2012–13 Rytíři Kladno ELH 25 3 22 25 28
2012–13 New Jersey Devils NHL 48 4 15 19 38
2013–14 New Jersey Devils NHL 81 12 30 42 60
2014–15 New Jersey Devils NHL 63 4 19 23 42
2014–15 Detroit Red Wings NHL 21 3 8 11 14 6 0 0 0 4
2015–16 New York Islanders NHL 53 4 12 16 20 5 0 1 1 4
ELH totals 242 26 70 96 409 20 2 2 4 20
SM-l totals 257 48 127 175 489 23 3 6 9 48
NHL totals 836 89 328 417 680 49 1 15 16 44

International Play

Medal record
Representing  Czech Republic
Olympic Games
Bronze 2006 Turin
World Championships
Gold 2005 Vienna
Bronze 2011 Bratislava
Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
1995 Czech Republic WJC 7 0 2 2 31
1996 Czech Republic WJC 7 0 5 5 12
2004 Czech Republic WCH 5 3 1 4 2
2005 Czech Republic WC 9 1 3 4 18
2006 Czech Republic OG 7 4 1 5 16
2007 Czech Republic WC 7 1 5 6 6
2008 Czech Republic WC 7 1 4 5 6
2009 Czech Republic WC 7 0 1 1 6
2010 Czech Republic OG 5 0 5 5 2
2011 Czech Republic WC 9 1 4 5 6
2013 Czech Republic WC 2 0 0 0 0
2014 Czech Republic OG 5 2 2 4 8
Junior totals 14 0 7 7 43
Senior totals 63 13 26 39 70
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