Frantisek Kaberle is a retired Czech professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman. He was born on November 8, 1973, in Kladno, Czechoslovakia. Kaberle began his professional career in 1992 with HC Kladno in the Czech Extraliga. He played for the team until 1999, winning the league championship in 1993 and 1998.
In 1999, Kaberle was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the third round of the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 1999-2000 season and played for the Kings until 2003. During his time with the Kings, Kaberle was known for his offensive skills and his ability to move the puck up the ice. He scored a career-high 11 goals and 39 points in the 2001-2002 season.
In 2003, Kaberle was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers, where he played for one season before being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes. Kaberle played a key role in the Hurricanes' Stanley Cup championship run in the 2005-2006 season. He scored two goals and 12 points in 25 playoff games, including the game-winning goal in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers.
Kaberle played for the Hurricanes until 2009, when he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played for the Maple Leafs for one season before returning to the Czech Republic to finish his career with HC Kladno. Kaberle retired from professional hockey in 2014.
Throughout his career, Kaberle was known for his offensive skills, his ability to move the puck up the ice, and his solid defensive play. He was also a key contributor on the power play, where he often played the point and was able to set up his teammates for scoring opportunities.
Kaberle represented the Czech Republic in international competition, including the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, where he won a gold medal. He also played in the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics, as well as the 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 IIHF World Championships.
Overall, Frantisek Kaberle had a successful career in professional hockey, playing for several NHL teams and representing his country in international competition. He was known for his offensive skills, his solid defensive play, and his ability to contribute on the power play.
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