Radko Gudas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Radko Gudas |
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Gudas with the Tampa Bay Lightning in October 2013
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| Born | 5 June 1990 Kladno, Czechoslovakia |
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| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 204 lb (93 kg; 14 st 8 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shoots | Right | ||
| NHL team Former teams |
Anaheim Ducks Rabat Kladno Tampa Bay Lightning Philadelphia Flyers Washington Capitals Florida Panthers |
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| National team |  Czech Republic |
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| NHL Draft | 66th overall, 2010 Tampa Bay Lightning |
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| Playing career | 2008–present | ||
Radko Gudas (born on June 5, 1990) is a professional ice hockey player from the Czech Republic. He plays as a defenceman and is currently the captain for the Anaheim Ducks in the National Hockey League (NHL). Before joining the Ducks, he played for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals, and Florida Panthers.
Radko's father, Leo Gudas, was also an ice hockey player who played for Czechoslovakia in the 1992 Winter Olympics. Radko grew up in Kladno, Czech Republic, and played for a team called HC Rabat Kladno. In 2009, he moved to North America. He played one season with the Everett Silvertips in the Western Hockey League (WHL). After that, the Tampa Bay Lightning chose him in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Radko has also played for the Czech Republic's junior team and the senior team. He even played in the 2014 Winter Olympics and won a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World Championship.
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Playing Career
Junior Hockey Days
Radko Gudas started his career playing in the Czech Extraliga for HC Kladno during the 2008–09 season. The Everett Silvertips from the Western Hockey League (WHL) picked him in the first round of their special draft for international players. Even though he wasn't chosen in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Los Angeles Kings invited him to their training camp. He didn't get a contract with them, so he joined the Silvertips that fall.
He had a great season with the Silvertips, scoring 7 goals and making 30 assists. He also spent 151 minutes in the penalty box, showing he was a tough player. His strong performance led the Tampa Bay Lightning to draft him in the third round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. In August 2010, the Lightning signed Gudas to a three-year contract.
Starting in the NHL with Tampa Bay
Radko Gudas went to his first NHL training camp with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2010. He was then sent to play for their minor league team, the Norfolk Admirals, in the American Hockey League (AHL). In his first season, Gudas was known for making big hits and getting into fights. He had 16 fights and spent 165 minutes in the penalty box in 76 games. He also scored 4 goals and had 13 assists.
During the 2011–12 season, he continued to play for the Admirals. This team made history by winning 28 games in a row! Gudas helped the Admirals win the 2012 Calder Cup championship, which is like the Stanley Cup for the AHL. They beat the Toronto Marlies in four games. Fans also noticed Gudas's impressive beard, which became his signature look during the playoffs.
After this amazing season, the Lightning changed their minor league team to the Syracuse Crunch. Gudas was sent to play for the Crunch for the 2012–13 season. He was called up to play for the Lightning in the NHL on March 11, 2013. Before that, he had 4 goals and 20 points for the Crunch. He also led the AHL with a plus-32 rating, meaning his team scored 32 more goals than they gave up when he was on the ice. He was also fourth in the league with 207 penalty minutes.
Gudas played his first NHL game against the Florida Panthers. He blocked three shots and made two hits. During this game, he hit Panthers player Kris Versteeg, who had to leave the game with a knee injury. Gudas finished the rest of the season with the Lightning, playing in 22 games. He scored 2 goals, had 3 assists, and spent 38 minutes in the penalty box. He then rejoined the Crunch to help them in the 2013 Calder Cup playoffs. He got an MCL injury during the playoffs and missed some games. The Crunch lost in the finals, ending Gudas's time in the AHL.
On May 6, 2013, the Lightning signed Gudas to a new three-year contract.
In the next season, Gudas became one of the top four defensemen for the Lightning. He continued to play his physical and aggressive game. Sometimes, his tough play got him into trouble. In one game, a Florida Panthers player squirted water at him from the bench, and Gudas was kicked out of the game. He also received a penalty in a game against the Dallas Stars, but the league decided not to punish him further. Gudas played in three playoff games for the Lightning that season, but they lost to the Montreal Canadiens.
During the 2014–15 season, Gudas had knee surgery on January 6, 2015. The Lightning announced that he would miss the rest of the regular season.
Moving to Philadelphia
On March 2, 2015, Gudas was traded from the Lightning to the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers also received two draft picks in exchange for player Braydon Coburn.
On December 2, 2015, Gudas was suspended for three games. This happened because he made an illegal hit to the head of Mika Zibanejad in a game against the Ottawa Senators. He didn't get a penalty during the game, but Zibanejad had to leave.
Gudas signed a new four-year contract with the Flyers for $13.4 million on June 23, 2016.
In a preseason game on October 8, 2016, against the Boston Bruins, Gudas hit Austin Czarnik. Czarnik left the game and had to be checked for a concussion. Gudas received a minor penalty during the game. After reviewing the incident, the NHL decided to suspend Gudas for six games. This was partly because he had been suspended before in 2015.
Playing for Washington and Florida
On June 14, 2019, Gudas was traded from the Flyers to the Washington Capitals in exchange for another defenceman, Matt Niskanen.
After his time with the Capitals, Gudas became a free agent. On October 9, 2020, he signed a three-year contract worth $7.5 million with the Florida Panthers.
Joining the Anaheim Ducks
On July 1, 2023, Gudas signed a three-year contract for $12 million with the Anaheim Ducks. As he started his second season with the Ducks, Radko Gudas was named the ninth captain in the team's history.
International Play
| Medal record | ||
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| Representing Czech Republic |
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| Ice hockey | ||
| World Championships | ||
| Gold | 2024 Czechia | |
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On January 6, 2014, Radko Gudas was chosen to play for the Czech Republic men's national ice hockey team at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Gudas missed two games in the Olympics because he was sick. He played in 3 games and had 4 penalty minutes. The Czech Team was eliminated by Team USA.
He also represented Czechia at the 2024 IIHF World Championship and helped his team win a gold medal.
Personal Life
Radko Gudas and his girlfriend have a daughter together. Radko's sister, who is an actress and singer named Karolina Gudasová, is married to Michal Neuvirth. Michal was also a former teammate of Radko's on the Philadelphia Flyers.
