Radek Dvořák facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Radek Dvořák
Dvořák with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2013
Born	(1977-03-09) March 9, 1977 (age 48) Tábor, Czechoslovakia
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Right
Played for	HC České Budějovice Florida Panthers New York Rangers Edmonton Oilers St. Louis Blues Atlanta Thrashers Dallas Stars HC Davos Anaheim Ducks Carolina Hurricanes
National team	Czech Republic
NHL Draft	10th overall, 1995 Florida Panthers
Playing career	1993–2013

Radek Dvořák (born March 9, 1977) is a former professional ice hockey player from the Czech Republic. He played as a right winger. Radek was chosen early in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, as the tenth player overall, by the Florida Panthers. He played in an amazing 1,260 games in the NHL. During his long career, he played for many teams, including the Panthers, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Atlanta Thrashers, Dallas Stars, Anaheim Ducks, and Carolina Hurricanes.

Radek's Hockey Journey

Starting with the Florida Panthers

Radek Dvořák began his NHL career with the Florida Panthers when he was just 18 years old. This was during the 1995–96 season. In his first year, he scored 13 goals and earned 27 points. The Panthers made it to the playoffs for the very first time that season! Radek helped his team reach the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals, where they played for the championship. He scored four points in 16 playoff games.

In his second season, Radek played even better. He scored 18 goals and got 39 points. This made him the fourth-highest scorer on his team. He played in every game in his fourth season, scoring 19 goals and 43 points. He even scored four special "shorthanded" goals, which means he scored when his team had fewer players on the ice. In December 1999, the Panthers traded him to the New York Rangers.

Time with the New York Rangers

Radek finished the 1999–2000 season with the New York Rangers. He scored 11 goals and 33 points in 46 games. The next season, 2000–01, was a big one for Radek. He played on a line with two other Czech players. He had his best season yet, scoring 31 goals and 36 assists for a total of 67 points! He was the fourth-highest scorer for the Rangers. However, the Rangers did not make it to the playoffs. Radek's scoring went down in the next two seasons. In March 2003, the Rangers traded him to the Edmonton Oilers.

Playing for the Edmonton Oilers

Radek joined the Edmonton Oilers in 2002–03 and played 12 games. He scored four goals and eight points, helping Edmonton reach the playoffs. In his first playoff games since 1997, Radek scored an amazing goal. He skated from one end of the ice to the other to score a game-winning goal! This was his only point in four playoff games.

He returned to the Oilers for the 2003–04 season. He scored 15 goals and 50 points in 78 games. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Radek played hockey in his home country, the Czech Republic. He came back to the Oilers for the 2005–06 season. In the playoffs that year, the Oilers made it to the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, but they lost to the Carolina Hurricanes. After this, Radek signed a contract with the St. Louis Blues.

With the St. Louis Blues

Radek played the 2006–07 season with the St. Louis Blues. He played in all 82 games, scoring 10 goals and getting 27 assists for 37 points. The Blues did not make the playoffs that year. After the season, Radek became a free agent and decided to go back to his first NHL team, the Florida Panthers.

Back with the Florida Panthers

Radek returned to the Florida Panthers for the 2007–08 season. He scored 8 goals and 17 points in 67 games. His numbers improved in the 2008–09 season, with 15 goals and 36 points. In July 2009, he signed a new two-year contract with the Panthers.

On December 7, 2009, Radek played in his 1,000th NHL game! This is a huge milestone for any hockey player. The Panthers honored Radek in November 2010 for playing more games for their team than anyone else in its history.

Short Stays with Other Teams

In February 2011, the Panthers traded Radek to the Atlanta Thrashers. He played 13 games with them.

On July 1, 2011, Radek signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Stars. In December 2011, he recorded his 350th career assist, showing his skill at setting up goals for his teammates.

During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Radek played for a team in Switzerland called HC Davos. After that, he signed with the Anaheim Ducks in March 2013 for the rest of the shortened NHL season.

Finishing with the Carolina Hurricanes

In September 2013, Radek was invited to try out for the Carolina Hurricanes. He then signed a contract with them in October 2013. He scored his first goal for the Hurricanes in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Retirement from Hockey

Radek Dvořák officially retired from professional hockey on January 27, 2015. He played for 18 seasons and completed 1,260 games in the NHL. What an amazing career!

Career Statistics

Here are Radek Dvořák's statistics from his time playing in the regular season and playoffs.

International Play

Radek Dvořák also proudly represented the Czech Republic in international hockey tournaments. He helped his country win gold medals at the World Championships three times!

Medal record
Representing  Czech Republic
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold	1999 Oslo
Gold	2001 Nuremberg
Gold	2005 Vienna