Vladimír Sobotka facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vladimír Sobotka
Sobotka with the St. Louis Blues in February 2011
Born	(1987-07-02) 2 July 1987 (age 38) Třebíč, Czechoslovakia
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	183 lb (83 kg; 13 st 1 lb)
Position	Center
Shoots	Left
ELH team Former teams	Sparta Praha Slavia Prague Boston Bruins St. Louis Blues Avangard Omsk Buffalo Sabres SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers
National team	Czech Republic
NHL Draft	106th overall, 2005 Boston Bruins
Playing career	2004–present

Vladimír Sobotka (born 2 July 1987) is a professional ice hockey player from the Czech Republic. He plays as a centre, which is a forward position in the middle of the ice. Currently, he plays for Sparta Praha in the Czech Extraliga (ELH).

Sobotka has also played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for teams like the Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues, and Buffalo Sabres. He also spent time playing in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for Avangard Omsk. The Boston Bruins chose him in the fourth round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft when he was 106th overall. At that time, he was playing for Slavia Prague.

Sobotka's Hockey Journey

Starting in the NHL

Vladimír Sobotka played his very first NHL game on November 24, 2007. This was during the 2007–08 season with the Boston Bruins. He scored his first NHL goal later that season, on February 13, 2008. The goal was against Ty Conklin of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Moving to the St. Louis Blues

On June 26, 2010, the Boston Bruins traded Sobotka to the St. Louis Blues. In return, the Bruins received the rights to another player, David Warsofsky.

Sobotka scored his first goal for the Blues on November 6, 2010. It was special because it was against his old team, the Boston Bruins. He beat their goalie, Tuukka Rask, after a mistake by the Bruins.

Later that month, on November 30, he had a great game with three assists. This means he helped his teammates score three goals. He finished the 2010–11 season with 29 points in 65 games. A point is given for a goal or an assist.

On June 15, 2011, Sobotka signed a new three-year contract with the Blues. This showed they wanted him to stay.

First NHL Hat-Trick

On March 9, 2013, Sobotka scored his first ever NHL hat-trick. A hat-trick is when a player scores three goals in one game. This exciting moment happened against the San Jose Sharks.

Time in the KHL

After the 2013–14 season, Sobotka decided to try playing in a different league. He signed a three-year contract with Avangard Omsk in the KHL, which is a league in Europe and Asia.

The Blues wanted him to stay, so they went through a process called salary arbitration. This meant a decision was made about his future contract if he returned to the NHL. It was decided that if he came back, the Blues would still have his rights for one year.

Returning to the NHL

After playing three seasons in the KHL, Sobotka returned to the St. Louis Blues. This was announced on April 6, 2017. He joined them for the end of the 2016–17 season and the playoffs. He then signed a new three-year contract with the Blues.

Joining the Buffalo Sabres

On July 1, 2018, Sobotka was part of a big trade. He, along with Tage Thompson, Patrik Berglund, and two draft picks, moved to the Buffalo Sabres. In exchange, the Blues received Ryan O'Reilly.

After his contract with the Sabres ended, Sobotka left the NHL. He then played a short time in Switzerland for SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers.

Playing for His Country

Representing the Czech Republic

Vladimír Sobotka has proudly played for the Czech Republic many times. On January 6, 2014, he was chosen to play in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. However, he got a leg injury and could not play in the event.

He has also played in other major international tournaments, including the IIHF World Championship and the World Cup of Hockey. He even won a bronze medal at the 2004 World U18 Championships with the Czech Republic's junior team.

Medal record
Representing  Czech Republic
World U18 Championships
Bronze	2004 Minsk