Petr Sýkora facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Petr Sýkora
Sýkora with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009
Born	(1976-11-19) November 19, 1976 (age 48) Plzeň, Czechoslovakia
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Left
Played for	New Jersey Devils Mighty Ducks of Anaheim New York Rangers Edmonton Oilers Pittsburgh Penguins Minnesota Wild SC Bern
National team	Czech Republic
NHL Draft	18th overall, 1995 New Jersey Devils
Playing career	1992–2013

Petr Sýkora (born November 19, 1976) is a former professional ice hockey player from the Czech Republic. He played as a right winger in the National Hockey League (NHL) for many teams. These teams included the New Jersey Devils, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Minnesota Wild. Sýkora played in six Stanley Cup Finals during his NHL career. He won the Stanley Cup twice. First, he won it in 2000 with the Devils. Then, he won it again in 2009 with the Penguins.

Petr Sýkora's Hockey Journey

Starting Out in Hockey

Before he was drafted into the NHL, Petr Sýkora played in different hockey leagues. He played in the Czechoslovak Extraliga and the International Hockey League (IHL). When he played for the Cleveland Lumberjacks, Sýkora made history. He became the youngest player ever in the IHL. He was only 17 years and 71 days old at the time. He also played for the Detroit Vipers in the IHL.

Joining the NHL: New Jersey Devils

In the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, the New Jersey Devils picked Sýkora. He was the 18th player chosen overall in the first round. He started his NHL career in the 1995–96 season with the Devils. In his first year, he scored 42 points. He was even named the NHL Rookie of the Month for December.

His career really took off in his fourth NHL season. He scored 72 points, which was one of his best seasons. He was part of a strong line called the "A-line" with Patrik Eliáš and Jason Arnott. This line helped the Devils win the Stanley Cup in 2000. They played against the Dallas Stars.

In the final game, Sýkora got injured and went to the hospital. When the Devils won, their coach Larry Robinson and teammate Patrik Eliáš wore Sýkora's jersey. The team even brought the Stanley Cup to him at the hospital. The next season, Sýkora and the Devils almost won the Cup again. They lost in Game 7 to the Colorado Avalanche. That year, Sýkora had his best season with 35 goals, 46 assists, and 81 points.

Moving to Anaheim and Other Teams

After his great season, Sýkora's points dropped a bit. Before the 2002–03 season, he was traded. He went to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. In his first year with Anaheim, Sýkora played in his third Stanley Cup Finals. But he lost to his old team, the Devils. On the way to the finals, he scored a huge goal. It was the game-winning goal in a game that went into five overtimes. This was one of the longest playoff games in NHL history.

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Sýkora played in Russia. He played for Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Russian Superleague (RSL). When the NHL started again, Sýkora asked to be traded from Anaheim. In January 2006, he joined the New York Rangers. After that season, he signed a one-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers in July 2006. He played well with his countryman Aleš Hemský.

Success with the Pittsburgh Penguins

Sýkora playing in the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals.

In July 2007, Sýkora signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He played with star players like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. This helped him have his best season since 2000–01, scoring 63 points.

The Penguins reached the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings. In Game 5, Sýkora scored a goal in triple overtime. He had told a reporter he would score the game-winner. His goal helped the Penguins force a Game 6. However, they lost the series to Detroit. This was Sýkora's fourth time playing in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Sýkora as a member of the Penguins in February 2008.

The next season, on December 11, 2008, Sýkora scored three goals in one game. This is called a hat-trick. It was his first hat-trick in the NHL. He had scored two goals in a game 38 times before, which was an NHL record for most two-goal games without a hat-trick. Later that season, he scored his 300th NHL goal.

During the 2009 playoffs, Sýkora had a shoulder injury. He also played less because the Penguins added new players. He was sometimes a healthy scratch, meaning he didn't play even if he wasn't injured. The Penguins made it to the Stanley Cup Finals again, playing the Red Wings. Sýkora played in Game 6 but injured his foot. He couldn't play in Game 7. But when the Penguins won the Cup, he put his swollen foot into a skate. He joined his teammates on the ice to celebrate. Even though he won the Cup in 2000, he couldn't lift it then because he was in the hospital. This time, he could finally lift the trophy!

Later Career and Retirement

After winning the Cup in 2009, Sýkora did not re-sign with the Penguins. He became a free agent. He then signed a tryout contract with the Minnesota Wild in September 2009. He later signed a one-year contract with them. However, he got a concussion early in the 2009–10 season. He was out for two months. After playing only 14 games, he was released by the Wild.

Sýkora with the Wild in October 2009.

Without an NHL contract, Sýkora went back to Europe. He played for HC Plzeň in the Czech Republic. Then he signed a tryout with Dinamo Minsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

In September 2011, Sýkora tried out for the New Jersey Devils again. On October 5, 2011, he signed a one-year contract with the team that first drafted him. On March 2, 2012, Sýkora played in his 1,000th career NHL game. This is a huge milestone for any hockey player. He finished his career playing a few games for SC Bern in Switzerland in 2013.

Playing for His Country

Medal record
Representing  Czech Republic
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold	1999 Lillehammer
Gold	2005 Vienna
Bronze	1998 Zurich
European Junior Championships
Bronze	1993 Poland
Bronze	1994 Finland

Petr Sýkora also played for the Czech Republic in international competitions. In 2002, he played in the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He also represented his country in the 2004 World Cup. Sýkora won three medals at the World Ice Hockey Championships. He earned a bronze medal in 1998 and two gold medals in 1999 and 2005.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

See also

• List of NHL players with 1000 games played