Tomáš Vokoun facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tomáš Vokoun
Vokoun with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2013
Born	(1976-07-02) 2 July 1976 (age 49) Karlovy Vary, Czechoslovakia
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Caught	Right
Played for	HC Kladno Montreal Canadiens Nashville Predators HC Znojemsti Orli Znojmo HIFK Florida Panthers Washington Capitals Pittsburgh Penguins
National team	Czech Republic
NHL Draft	226th overall, 1994 Montreal Canadiens
Playing career	1995–2014

Tomáš Vokoun (born on July 2, 1976) is a former professional ice hockey goaltender from the Czech Republic. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for many years, mostly with the Nashville Predators. He was picked by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.

Vokoun also played for the Florida Panthers, Washington Capitals, and Pittsburgh Penguins. He was a key player for the Czech national team in many big tournaments. He won a bronze medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics. He also helped his team win gold medals at the 2005 and 2010 World Championships.

Tomáš Vokoun's Hockey Journey

Starting His Career (1994–1998)

Tomáš Vokoun was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1994. He was the 226th player chosen overall. Before coming to North America, he played for a team called Poldi Kladno in the Czech Republic.

In 1995, Vokoun moved to North America. He played for the Wheeling Thunderbirds in the ECHL league. He also played one playoff game for the Fredericton Canadiens in the AHL. In the 1996–97 season, he played his only game for the Montreal Canadiens.

Time with the Nashville Predators (1998–2007)

Vokoun playing for the Nashville Predators

In 1998, the Nashville Predators picked Vokoun in the NHL Expansion Draft. This meant he would join their new team. He played 37 games for the Predators in their first season. He also played some games for the Milwaukee Admirals.

By the year 2000, Vokoun became a regular player in the NHL. He started as a backup goalie. But in 2002, he became the main starting goaltender for the Predators.

In the 2003–04 season, Vokoun played so well that he was chosen for the All-Star Game. His great goaltending helped the Predators reach the playoffs for the first time ever. They lost to the Detroit Red Wings in six games. In one playoff game, Vokoun made history for the Predators. He got the team's first-ever playoff shutout, stopping 41 shots.

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, when NHL games were paused, Vokoun played in Finland. He played for HIFK and had a very good save percentage.

In 2006, Vokoun had a health issue. He had a blood clot in his pelvis. He had to miss the rest of the season and the playoffs to recover. Chris Mason took his place. Vokoun returned for the 2006–07 NHL season. However, he injured his thumb and needed surgery. He played with pins and a brace on his thumb.

Playing for the Florida Panthers (2007–2011)

Vokoun with the Panthers in 2009.

In 2007, Vokoun was traded to the Florida Panthers. He had played nine years with the Nashville Predators. During his time there, he set many team records for goalies.

Vokoun was chosen to play in the 2008 NHL All-Star Game again. In the 2008–09 NHL season, he won 26 games for the Panthers. His strong play helped the team try to reach the playoffs.

In 2009, Vokoun was accidentally hit in the head by a teammate's stick. He had to be taken off the ice. He was treated for a cut on his ear.

Time with Washington and Pittsburgh (2011–2014)

Vokoun with the Capitals in 2012.

On July 2, 2011, Vokoun signed a one-year contract with the Washington Capitals. His 2011–12 NHL season with the Capitals was tough. He dealt with injuries and sometimes didn't play as consistently.

In 2012, Vokoun was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He signed a two-year contract with them. He chose to wear jersey number 92. This was because his usual number 29 was already taken by another player.

In March 2013, Vokoun set a personal best. He had a shutout streak of 187 minutes and 30 seconds. This means he didn't let any goals in for that long. He had two full shutouts in a row. He also helped with a combined shutout in another game. In May 2013, Vokoun started his first playoff game in six seasons. He had a 31-save shutout against the New York Islanders.

Before the 2013 season, Vokoun had another blood clot. He had surgery for it. On December 15, 2014, Tomáš Vokoun announced that he was retiring from playing hockey.

International Hockey Achievements

Vokoun during the 2010 Olympics
Medal record
Representing  Czech Republic
Men's ice hockey
Olympic Games
Bronze	2006 Turin
World Championships
Gold	2005 Vienna
Gold	2010 Cologne
World Cup
Bronze	2004 Toronto
European Junior Championships
Bronze	1994 Jyväskylä

Tomáš Vokoun played for the Czech Republic many times. His first international experience was with the under-20 team in 1996. He later played for the senior team at the 2003 IIHF World Championship.

He played in four IIHF World Championships and two Winter Olympic Games. He also played in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. He helped the Czech team win a bronze medal at the World Cup. He also won gold medals at the 2005 and 2010 World Championships. Vokoun also earned a bronze medal with his team at the 2006 Olympics in Turin.

Awards and Special Moments

• Chosen to play in the 2004 NHL All-Star Game.
• Chosen to play in the 2008 NHL All-Star Game.

Career Statistics

International Statistics