Pavel Kubina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pavel Kubina |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Kubina with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008
|
|||
| Born | April 15, 1977 Čeladná, Czechoslovakia |
||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | ||
| Weight | 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for | Tampa Bay Lightning Toronto Maple Leafs Atlanta Thrashers Philadelphia Flyers |
||
| National team |  Czech Republic |
||
| NHL Draft | 179th overall, 1996 Tampa Bay Lightning |
||
| Playing career | 1993–2013 | ||
Pavel Kubina (born April 15, 1977) is a former professional ice hockey player from the Czech Republic. He was a defenceman, which means he played a defensive role on the ice. Kubina played for several teams in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1998 to 2012. These teams included the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlanta Thrashers, and Philadelphia Flyers.
Contents
Pavel Kubina's Hockey Journey
Starting in Europe
Pavel Kubina began his professional hockey career in his home country, the Czech Republic. He played for a team called HC Vítkovice in the Czech Extraliga. He spent four seasons there, learning and growing as a player.
While playing in the Czech Republic, Kubina was noticed by NHL scouts. In 1996, the Tampa Bay Lightning picked him in the seventh round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. This meant they had the rights to sign him to play in the NHL.
Moving to North America
Later in 1996, Kubina moved to Canada to play junior hockey. He joined the Moose Jaw Warriors in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He had a great season, scoring 44 points in 61 games.
Kubina made his first appearance in the NHL during the 1997–98 NHL season. However, he spent most of that year playing for the Adirondack Red Wings in the American Hockey League (AHL). This is a league where players often develop their skills before becoming full-time NHL players.
By the 1999–2000 NHL season, Kubina had earned a regular spot with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He became a key part of their defence.
Winning the Stanley Cup
Kubina continued to improve his game, scoring more points each season. In the 2003–04 NHL season, he was chosen to play in the 2004 National Hockey League All-Star Game. This is a special game where the best players from around the league compete.
That same season, Kubina achieved a huge dream for any hockey player: he won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning! They defeated the Calgary Flames in an exciting final series.
Playing for Other Teams
After his time with the Lightning, Kubina signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2006. He played three seasons there. He was briefly suspended for a game in his first season for a play during a pre-season game.
In 2009, Kubina was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers. He played one season with them before returning to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2010. During his second time with the Lightning, he was suspended for three games for an elbowing incident.
His final NHL team was the Philadelphia Flyers, where he played for a short time in 2012. After his NHL career, Kubina played a few games in Switzerland for Genève-Servette HC. He officially announced his retirement from hockey in December 2013.
International Achievements
Pavel Kubina also proudly represented his home country, the Czech Republic, in many international tournaments. He won several medals for his country.
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Representing Czech Republic |
||
| Bronze | 2006 Torino | |
| World Championships | ||
| Gold | 1999 Oslo | |
| Gold | 2001 Nuremberg | |
| Gold | 2005 Vienna | |
He won three gold medals at the Ice Hockey World Championships in 1999, 2001, and 2005. He also earned a bronze medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.
Personal Life
Pavel Kubina is married to Andrea. They have a daughter named Tereza, who was born in the Czech Republic on November 9, 2006.
