Martin Havlat is a retired Czech professional ice hockey player who had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was born on April 19, 1981, in Mlada Boleslav, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic). Havlat began his hockey career in his home country, playing for HC Kladno in the Czech Extraliga. He was drafted in the first round, 26th overall, by the Ottawa Senators in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.
Havlat made his NHL debut with the Senators in the 2000-2001 season and quickly established himself as a skilled forward. He was known for his speed, agility, and scoring ability. In his second season with the Senators, Havlat scored 22 goals and 28 assists for a total of 50 points in 79 games. He helped lead the Senators to the playoffs that year, where they made it to the second round before being eliminated.
Havlat continued to be a key player for the Senators over the next few seasons, but injuries began to take a toll on his career. He missed significant time due to various injuries, including a shoulder injury that required surgery. Despite the injuries, Havlat remained a productive player when he was on the ice. In the 2005-2006 season, he scored a career-high 31 goals and 35 assists for a total of 66 points in just 68 games.
After six seasons with the Senators, Havlat was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2006. He had a strong first season with the Blackhawks, scoring 25 goals and 32 assists for a total of 57 points in 56 games. However, injuries once again plagued Havlat's career, and he missed significant time in the following seasons.
Havlat played for several other teams over the course of his career, including the Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, and St. Louis Blues. He was never able to replicate the success he had with the Senators and Blackhawks, but he remained a skilled player and a valuable asset to his teams.
Havlat retired from professional hockey in 2018, after playing for 14 seasons in the NHL. He finished his career with 242 goals and 352 assists for a total of 594 points in 790 games. He also represented the Czech Republic in international play, winning a bronze medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics and a gold medal at the 2010 IIHF World Championships.
Overall, Martin Havlat had a successful career in the NHL, despite being plagued by injuries. He was a skilled forward who was known for his speed, agility, and scoring ability. He played for several teams over the course of his career, but he will always be remembered for his time with the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks.
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