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 on March 28, 1991, is a professional ice hockey player from the Czech Republic. He plays as a winger and is an alternate captain for the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Tampa Bay Lightning picked him in the seventh round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Palát helped the Lightning win the Stanley Cup two years in a row, in 2020 and 2021.

Ondřej Palát's Hockey Journey

Starting in Czech Republic

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

Playing in Canada's Junior Leagues

After the 2007–08 season, a Canadian team, the Seattle Thunderbirds, chose Palát in a special draft. However, his playing rights were soon traded to the Chilliwack Bruins. Even though he could have been picked in the 2008 NHL entry draft, he wasn't. He had a tough season and was recovering from an illness.

Later, another team, the Drummondville Voltigeurs, drafted him in 2009. Palát joined the Voltigeurs for the 2009–10 season. He played well, scoring 40 points in 59 games.

He returned to the Voltigeurs for the 2010–11 season. Palát quickly became a top player. He scored many points and was often named a "Star of the Week" in the league. By December, he was one of the top scorers in the league. He finished the season with an amazing 96 points, including 39 goals and 57 assists.

Before the 2011 NHL entry draft, the Tampa Bay Lightning were interested in Palát. They planned to invite him for a tryout if no one drafted him. But at the last minute, the Lightning got an extra pick and used it to draft Palát. He was the 208th player chosen overall.

Time with the Tampa Bay Lightning (2011–2022)

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

In January 2012, his coach put him on a line with Richard Pánik and Tyler Johnson. This line was nicknamed the "Top Gun Line." They played a big part in the Admirals setting a record of 28 wins in a row. Palát helped the Admirals win their first AHL championship, the Calder Cup, in 2012.

Palát continued to play in the AHL for the Syracuse Crunch in the 2012–13 season. He kept playing with Johnson and Panik and improved his scoring. In February, he scored his first professional hat-trick (three goals in one game).

Soon after, he was called up to the NHL for the first time in March 2013. He made his NHL debut and got his first NHL point with an assist. A few days later, he scored his first NHL goal.

Palát playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning in March 2014.

Palát made the Lightning's main roster for the 2013–14 season. He reunited with Johnson and Panik, and they were called "The Kid Line" by the media. They started on the third line but earned more playing time. When star player Steven Stamkos got injured, Palát and Johnson played with veteran Martin St. Louis. Palát said playing with St. Louis made him feel more confident.

He set a new team record for rookies with a long scoring streak. Palát was also chosen to play for the Czech Republic at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia. The NHL recognized his great play by naming him "Rookie of the Month" in January and March. He finished the season leading the Lightning in scoring with 59 points. Palát was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy, given to the NHL's best rookie. He was also named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.

After his great rookie season, the Lightning signed Palát to a new three-year contract. For the 2014–15 season, Palát and Johnson played with Nikita Kucherov. Their line was nicknamed "The Triplets" because they played so well together. This line became very important for the Lightning.

The "Triplets line" helped the Lightning reach the 2015 playoffs. They played a big role in the team's journey to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2004. Palát scored important goals and assists throughout the playoffs. Although they lost in the Finals to the Chicago Blackhawks, Palát finished with 14 points.

In the 2015–16 season, Palát faced some injuries. When he returned, he was reunited with Kucherov and Johnson, and their line helped the team win many games. The Lightning had a nine-game winning streak. Palát finished the season with 40 points and helped the team make the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Lightning made it to the Eastern Conference Finals again in 2016. Palát scored key goals, including a game-winner against the Detroit Red Wings.

The 2016–17 season was tougher for the Lightning, and they didn't make the playoffs. Palát had some struggles with scoring and injuries.

In July 2017, Palát signed a new five-year contract with the Lightning. He continued to be a strong player for the team. In December 2017, he reached 160 career assists, tying for 11th most in team history. He later missed time due to an injury.

The 2018–19 season was also challenging for Palát due to more injuries. Despite this, he played his 400th career game in February 2019. The Lightning had an amazing regular season, winning the most games in the league. However, they were surprisingly swept in the first round of the playoffs. After this, Palát played for the Czech Republic in the 2019 IIHF World Championship.

Before the 2019–20 season, Palát worked hard to improve his fitness. In November 2019, he scored his 100th career NHL goal. A few days later, he reached 200 career assists and 300 career points.

When the NHL playoffs started in 2020, Palát and the Lightning played in a special "bubble" due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Palát played on the top line with Brayden Point and Kucherov, a line sometimes called "Triplets 2.0." He scored goals in five straight playoff games, setting a team record. Palát and the Lightning defeated the New York Islanders to reach the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals. In the Finals, Palát scored his 10th goal of the playoffs, helping the Lightning win their second Stanley Cup in franchise history.

For the 2020–21 season, the NHL changed its divisions because of travel rules. Palát continued to play on the top line. He helped the Lightning win six games in a row early in the season. He finished the regular season with 46 points.

Palát returned for the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. He scored important goals, including game-winners. He passed Martin St. Louis for second place in the team's all-time playoff goals. The Lightning defeated the Islanders again and then faced the Montreal Canadiens in the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals. They won the series, giving Palát and the Lightning their second straight Stanley Cup. Palát finished the playoffs with 13 points and set a team record for most game-winning goals in the playoffs.

Before the 2021–22 season, Palát was named to the Czech Republic team for the 2022 Winter Olympics. However, NHL players could not go to the Olympics that year. In January 2022, Palát reached 400 career points. He also played his 590th career game, moving into seventh place on the team's all-time games played list. He finished his last season with the Lightning with 49 points.

Joining the New Jersey Devils (2022–Present)

Palát (left) playing for the New Jersey Devils in January 2025.

After playing 10 seasons with the Lightning, Palát became a free agent. He signed a five-year contract with the New Jersey Devils. He started well with the Devils in the 2022–23 season, scoring three goals in his first six games. However, he then had a groin injury and needed surgery, missing two months. He returned in January and finished the season with 23 points in 49 games. The Devils made the playoffs that year.

In November 2023, Palát recorded his 300th career assist. He became the 27th Czech player to reach this milestone in the NHL. In December 2023, Palát played in his 700th career NHL game.

Playing for His Country

Palát (right) 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

On January 6, 2014, Palát was chosen to play for the Czech Republic men's national ice hockey team at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. He played four games but didn't score any points. The Czech Republic team was eliminated by the United States.

Two years later, Palát played for his country again at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. He had one assist in three games, but the Czech team didn't make it to the semifinals.

Palát won his first medal with the Czech Republic team at the 2024 IIHF World Championship. He scored three goals and three assists in 10 games. This helped Czechia win their first gold medal since 2010.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International Play

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