Ales Hemsky is a former Czech professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 15 seasons. He was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft and played for the team for over a decade before being traded to the Ottawa Senators in 2014. Hemsky also played for the Dallas Stars and the Montreal Canadiens before retiring in 2018.
Hemsky was known for his speed, agility, and playmaking abilities on the ice. He was a skilled forward who could score goals and set up his teammates with ease. He was also a reliable player who could be counted on to play in all situations, including on the power play and penalty kill.
During his time with the Oilers, Hemsky was a key player for the team and helped lead them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006. He had a career-high 77 points during the 2005-06 season and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2003. Hemsky continued to be a top player for the Oilers for several years, but injuries began to take a toll on his performance in later seasons.
In 2014, Hemsky was traded to the Ottawa Senators, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Dallas Stars. He had a solid season with the Stars in 2015-16, scoring 13 goals and 26 assists in 75 games. However, injuries once again became an issue for Hemsky, and he played in just 15 games during the 2016-17 season.
Hemsky signed with the Montreal Canadiens in 2017 but played in just seven games before being sidelined with another injury. He announced his retirement from professional hockey in 2018, citing his desire to spend more time with his family.
Overall, Hemsky had a successful career in the NHL, scoring 174 goals and 398 assists in 845 games. He was a skilled and reliable player who was respected by his teammates and opponents alike. While injuries may have limited his performance in later seasons, Hemsky will always be remembered as a talented and exciting player who made a significant impact on the ice.
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