Josef Beranek was a Czech professional ice hockey player who played as a center. He began his career in the Czechoslovak Extraliga, playing for HC Sparta Praha and HC Verva Litvínov. In 1991, he was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round of the NHL Entry Draft.
Beranek made his NHL debut in the 1992-93 season with the Oilers, playing in 12 games and scoring two goals. He spent the majority of the season with the Cape Breton Oilers of the AHL, where he scored 32 goals and 47 assists in 63 games.
In the 1993-94 season, Beranek played for the Oilers and the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he was traded mid-season. He played in a total of 62 games that season, scoring 12 goals and 19 assists.
Beranek's best season in the NHL came in the 1995-96 season, where he played for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He scored 27 goals and 38 assists in 78 games, helping the Penguins reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
After his time with the Penguins, Beranek played for the Vancouver Canucks, the New York Islanders, and the Washington Capitals. He also played in the Swiss National League A for HC Davos and in the Czech Extraliga for HC Sparta Praha and HC Verva Litvínov.
Beranek retired from professional hockey in 2006, finishing his career with 323 points in 579 NHL games. He also represented the Czech Republic in international play, winning a gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics and a bronze medal at the 1992 World Junior Championships.
Overall, Josef Beranek had a successful career as a professional ice hockey player, playing for several NHL teams and representing his country in international play.
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