Ondřej Palát facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ondřej Palát
Palát in October 2023
Born	(1991-03-28) 28 March 1991 (age 34) Frýdek-Místek, Czechoslovakia
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	188 lb (85 kg; 13 st 6 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	New Jersey Devils Tampa Bay Lightning
National team	Czech Republic
NHL Draft	208th overall, 2011 Tampa Bay Lightning
Playing career	2011–present

Ondřej Palát (born March 28, 1991) is a talented Czech professional ice hockey player. He plays as a winger and is an alternate captain for the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League (NHL). Ondřej was picked by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2011 NHL Draft. He helped the Lightning win the amazing Stanley Cup two years in a row, in 2020 and 2021!

Ondřej Palát's Hockey Journey

Starting in Czech Republic and Canada

Ondřej Palát started his hockey journey in his home country, the Czech Republic. He played for a team called HC Frýdek-Místek.

Later, he was drafted by the Seattle Thunderbirds in Canada. But before he could play for them, his rights were traded to the Chilliwack Bruins. Even though he was good, he wasn't picked in the 2008 NHL Draft. This was partly because he had a less productive season and was recovering from an illness called mononucleosis.

However, a team called the Drummondville Voltigeurs from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) knew he was a great player. They drafted him in 2009 when he was 19.

Playing in the QMJHL

Ondřej joined the Voltigeurs for the 2009–10 season. He quickly showed his skills, scoring 40 points in 59 games. Even after not being drafted again in 2010, he returned to the Voltigeurs and had an amazing 2010–11 season.

He earned special recognition from the league multiple times for his scoring. By November, he was leading all international players with 38 points. He finished the 2010–11 season with a career-high 39 goals and 57 assists, totaling 96 points!

Before the 2011 NHL Draft, the Tampa Bay Lightning were so impressed that they planned to invite him for a tryout even if he wasn't drafted. But at the last minute, the Lightning got an extra pick and used it to draft Ondřej 208th overall.

Joining the Tampa Bay Lightning (2011–2022)

First Steps in the AHL

After attending the Lightning's training camp in 2011, Ondřej signed a three-year contract. He then joined their minor league team, the Norfolk Admirals, in the American Hockey League (AHL).

In January 2012, his coach, Jon Cooper, put him on a special line with Richard Pánik and Tyler Johnson. This line was nicknamed the "Top Gun Line." This team then set a North American record with 28 wins in a row! Ondřej helped the Admirals win their first AHL championship, the Calder Cup, in 2012.

Moving Up to the NHL

Ondřej continued to play for the Lightning's AHL team, now called the Syracuse Crunch, in the 2012–13 season. He kept playing with Johnson and Panik, and they were a strong team. He even scored his first professional hat-trick (three goals in one game) in February!

Soon after, Ondřej got his first call-up to the NHL. He made his NHL debut on March 4, 2013, and got his first NHL point with an assist. A few days later, he scored his first NHL goal!

His AHL coach, Jon Cooper, then became the Lightning's head coach. Ondřej and his "Top Gun Line" teammates were reunited in the AHL playoffs. They were incredibly successful, helping the Crunch reach the Calder Cup Finals. Ondřej scored 20 points in the playoffs, which was a league high!

Becoming an NHL Star

Palát with the Lightning in March 2014.

In the 2013–14 season, Ondřej made the Lightning's main NHL team. He continued to play with Johnson and Panik, and they were often called "The Kid Line." They started on the third line but quickly earned more playing time.

After Steven Stamkos got injured, Ondřej played with star player Martin St. Louis. Ondřej said playing with St. Louis made him feel more confident. He set a new team record for the longest point streak for a rookie! He was also chosen to play for the Czech Republic at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Ondřej was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month in March. He finished the season leading the Lightning's rookies with 23 goals and 36 assists for 59 points. He was even nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy, which is given to the NHL's best rookie! He was also named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. After this amazing season, the Lightning signed him to a new three-year contract.

The "Triplets Line" and Stanley Cup Finals

In the 2014–15 season, Ondřej, Johnson, and a new teammate, Nikita Kucherov, formed a super-scoring line. Coach Cooper nicknamed them 'The Triplets' because they played so well together, almost like they could read each other's minds!

The "Triplets line" was a huge part of the Lightning's success. They combined for 48 goals that season! Ondřej finished with 16 goals and a career-high 47 assists.

This line played a big role in the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs. Ondřej scored important goals, including the game-tying goal in Game 4 against the Detroit Red Wings. The "Triplets line" helped the Lightning reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2004! Although they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks, Ondřej finished the playoffs with 8 goals and 8 assists.

Injuries and More Playoff Runs

The 2015–16 season was tougher for Ondřej due to injuries. He missed several games with ankle problems. When he returned, he was often reunited with Kucherov and Johnson, and they continued to help the team win. The Lightning had a franchise record of nine wins in a row that season! Ondřej finished with 16 goals and 24 assists.

In the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs, Ondřej scored the game-winning goal in Game 4 against the Red Wings. The Lightning made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second year in a row, but they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 2016–17 season was a bit of a struggle for the Lightning, and they didn't make the playoffs. Ondřej had 17 goals and 35 assists.

Big Contract and More Milestones

On July 14, 2017, Ondřej signed a big five-year contract with the Lightning. In the 2017–18 season, he continued to be a key player. He reached his 160th career assist, tying for 11th most in team history. However, he suffered another lower-body injury and missed several weeks.

The 2018–19 season saw Ondřej deal with more injuries, which affected his scoring. Despite this, he played in his 400th career game in February 2019! The Lightning had an amazing regular season, winning the Presidents' Trophy for the best record. But they were surprisingly swept in the first round of the playoffs. After this, Ondřej played for the Czech Republic in the 2019 IIHF World Championship.

Winning Back-to-Back Stanley Cups (2020 & 2021)

In the 2019–20 season, Ondřej worked hard to improve his fitness. He reached two big milestones: his 100th career NHL goal and his 200th career NHL assist (which was also his 300th career NHL point)!

When the NHL playoffs started in a special "bubble" due to the pandemic, Ondřej was a playoff hero. He scored his first playoff goal in Game 2 against the Boston Bruins, which was an overtime winner! He then scored goals in three straight games, tying a team record. He helped the Lightning defeat the Bruins and advance.

In the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Islanders, Ondřej set a new team record for the longest goal streak in a postseason (five games)! He played a big role on the Lightning's top line with Brayden Point and Kucherov. The Lightning defeated the Islanders and reached the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals.

In the Finals against the Dallas Stars, Ondřej scored his 10th goal of the postseason. The Lightning won their second Stanley Cup in franchise history, defeating the Stars in six games!

The 2020–21 season was shorter due to the pandemic. Ondřej continued to be a top player. He passed Martin St. Louis for second place on the team's all-time playoff goals list! He helped the Lightning qualify for the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs.

In the 2021 playoffs, Ondřej scored the game-winning goal in Game 2 against the Florida Panthers. He set a team record for most playoff goals scored away from home ice. The Lightning defeated the Islanders again in the semifinals and faced the Montreal Canadiens in the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals. They beat the Canadiens in six games to win back-to-back Stanley Cup championships! Ondřej finished the playoffs with a team record of nine playoff game-winning goals.

Final Season with Lightning

In the 2021–22 season, Ondřej was named to Team Czech Republic for the 2022 Winter Olympics, but they didn't qualify. He reached his 400th career point in January 2022, becoming only the seventh player in Lightning history to do so! He also passed Tyler Johnson to move into seventh place on the team's all-time games played list.

Joining the New Jersey Devils (2022–present)

Palát (left) with the Devils during the 2024–25 NHL season.

After playing 10 seasons with the Lightning, Ondřej Palát joined the New Jersey Devils as a free agent in 2022. He signed a five-year contract. He started strong with the Devils, scoring three goals in his first six games. However, he then suffered a groin injury and missed two months. He returned in January and continued to contribute to the team.

On November 14, 2023, Ondřej recorded his 300th career assist, becoming the 27th Czech player to reach this milestone in the NHL. Later that season, on December 5, he played in his 700th career NHL game!

Ondřej Palát's International Play

Palát (right) in February 2014 alongside Michael Frolík and Radko Gudas with the Czech men's national ice hockey team during the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Medal record
Representing  Czech Republic
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
Gold	2024 Czechia

Ondřej has proudly represented his home country, the Czech Republic, in several international tournaments.

He played for the Czech Republic at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. He also played in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Most recently, he represented Czechia at the 2024 IIHF World Championship and won a gold medal, which is a huge achievement for his country!

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2008	Czech Republic	U18 D1	11th		5	6	2	8	2
2008	Czech Republic	IH18	5th		—	1	—	—	—
2009	Czech Republic	U18 D1	6th		6	1	0	1	2
2011	Czech Republic	WJC	7th		6	2	1	3	0
2014	Czech Republic	OG	6th		4	0	0	0	0
2016	Czech Republic	WCH	6th		3	0	1	1	0
2019	Czech Republic	WC	4th		10	1	1	2	6
2024	Czechia	WC			10	3	3	6	4
Junior totals					17	9	3	12	4
Senior totals					27	4	5	9	10

Awards and Honours