Zbyněk Michálek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zbyněk Michálek |
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| Born | 23 December 1982 Jindřichův Hradec, Czechoslovakia |
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| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | ||
| Weight | 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for | Minnesota Wild Arizona Coyotes Pittsburgh Penguins St. Louis Blues HC Sparta Praha |
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| National team |  Czech Republic |
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| NHL Draft | Undrafted | ||
| Playing career | 2002–2019 | ||
Zbyněk Michálek (born on December 23, 1982) is a former professional ice hockey player from the Czech Republic. He played as a defenceman, which is a player who helps protect their team's goal. Zbyněk played for several teams in the NHL, including the Minnesota Wild, Arizona Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues. He also played for Sparta Praha in the Czech Extraliga. Zbyněk is the older brother of another former NHL player, Milan Michálek.
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Playing Hockey: Zbyněk Michálek's Journey
Starting in Junior Hockey
Zbyněk Michálek started his hockey career playing two seasons of junior hockey. He played for the Shawinigan Cataractes in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Even though he was not chosen in the NHL Entry Draft, he began playing professional hockey in 2002. His first professional team was the Houston Aeros in the American Hockey League (AHL). He helped the Aeros win the Calder Cup championship in 2003.
Playing in the NHL: Early Years
Minnesota Wild and Phoenix Coyotes
Zbyněk made his first appearance in the NHL during the 2003–04 season. He played for the Minnesota Wild, which was the main team for the Houston Aeros. In 2005, Zbyněk was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes. He played five seasons with the Coyotes. During the 2008–09 season, he was the best in the NHL at blocking shots. His strong defensive play helped the Coyotes reach the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2010. This was their first playoff appearance since 2002.
Joining the Pittsburgh Penguins
On July 1, 2010, Zbyněk Michálek signed a five-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was a free agent, meaning he could choose which team to join. Before he signed, many people thought he was a very desirable player. He was known for his excellent defensive skills, his ability to stay healthy, and his shot-blocking. In the 2010–11 season, Zbyněk scored his first goal for the Penguins. This happened in a 3–1 win against the Buffalo Sabres on March 8, 2011.
Returning to Phoenix and Other Teams
In June 2012, Zbyněk was traded back to the Coyotes. He played two more seasons with them. In 2015, he was traded to the St. Louis Blues. After that, he signed with the Coyotes again as a free agent in July 2015.
After the 2016 preseason, Zbyněk was sent to the Tucson Roadrunners, an AHL team. He was called back up to play for the Coyotes for three games in March 2017. On October 19, 2017, Zbyněk signed with Sparta Praha in the Czech Extraliga, where he played until 2019.
Playing for His Country: International Games
| Medal record | ||
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Representing  Czech Republic |
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| World Championships | ||
| Silver | 2006 Riga | |
| Bronze | 2011 Bratislava | |
Zbyněk Michálek proudly played for the Czech Republic men's national ice hockey team. He even played alongside his brother, Milan Michálek, at the 2010 Winter Olympics. He also represented the Czech Republic at the 2011 IIHF World Championship. There, he and his team won a bronze medal.
Zbyněk Michálek's Family Life
Zbyněk Michálek is married to Helena. They have three children together: one son and two daughters. As mentioned, his younger brother, Milan Michálek, also played in the NHL.
Career Statistics Summary
Zbyněk Michálek played a total of 784 games in the NHL. He scored 42 goals and made 136 assists, totaling 178 points. He also played in 26 playoff games. For the Czech Republic national team, he played 52 international games, scoring 7 goals and making 4 assists.
