Radek Dvorak is a retired Czech professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 18 seasons. He was known for his speed and versatility on the ice, playing both as a forward and a defenseman.
Dvorak began his professional career in the Czech Extraliga with HC Ceske Budejovice in 1992. He quickly established himself as a talented player, earning a spot on the Czech Republic national team and helping them win a gold medal at the 1996 World Championships.
In 1995, Dvorak was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the first round, 10th overall. He made his NHL debut in the 1995-96 season and quickly became a fan favorite for his speed and work ethic. He played for the Panthers for 7 seasons, helping them reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 1996.
Dvorak was traded to the New York Rangers in 2002 and played for them for 3 seasons before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers in 2006. He played for the Oilers for 2 seasons before being traded to the St. Louis Blues in 2008. He played for the Blues for one season before being traded back to the Atlanta Thrashers, where he had previously played for a brief stint in 2007.
Dvorak played for the Thrashers for 3 seasons before being traded to the Dallas Stars in 2011. He played for the Stars for one season before being traded back to the Panthers, where he finished his NHL career in 2014.
Throughout his NHL career, Dvorak was known for his speed and versatility. He was a reliable penalty killer and was often used in defensive situations. He was also a consistent scorer, finishing his career with 227 goals and 363 assists for a total of 590 points in 1260 games.
After retiring from the NHL, Dvorak returned to the Czech Republic to play for HC Ceske Budejovice, the same team where he began his professional career. He played for them for 3 seasons before retiring for good in 2017.
Overall, Dvorak had a successful career in the NHL, playing for 7 different teams and earning a reputation as a hardworking and versatile player. He was a fan favorite wherever he played and will be remembered as one of the best Czech players to ever play in the NHL.
🏒