Richard Smehlik was a professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on January 23, 1970, in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic). Smehlik began his hockey career in his home country, playing for HC Vítkovice in the Czechoslovak Extraliga. He played for the team from 1987 to 1991, during which he won the league championship twice.
In 1991, Smehlik was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 1992-93 season and played for the Sabres for the next six seasons. During his time with the Sabres, Smehlik established himself as a reliable defenseman who could contribute offensively as well. He scored a career-high 10 goals and 31 points in the 1995-96 season and was named the team's best defenseman in the 1996-97 season.
In 1998, Smehlik was traded to the Florida Panthers, where he played for the next three seasons. He continued to be a solid defenseman for the Panthers and helped the team reach the playoffs in the 1999-2000 season. In 2001, Smehlik signed with the Atlanta Thrashers as a free agent. He played for the Thrashers for two seasons before retiring from professional hockey in 2003.
Throughout his NHL career, Smehlik played in a total of 644 games, scoring 44 goals and 134 assists for a total of 178 points. He was known for his physical play and his ability to play in all situations, including on the power play and penalty kill. Smehlik was also a member of the Czech Republic national team, representing his country in international tournaments such as the World Championships and the Olympics.
After retiring from hockey, Smehlik returned to his hometown of Ostrava and became involved in youth hockey development. He founded the Richard Smehlik Hockey School, which provides training and development opportunities for young hockey players in the Czech Republic. Smehlik also worked as a scout for the Buffalo Sabres for several years, helping to identify and evaluate young talent for the team.
In conclusion, Richard Smehlik was a talented and hardworking defenseman who had a successful career in the NHL. He played for three different teams over the course of his career and was known for his physical play and all-around skills. After retiring from hockey, Smehlik continued to be involved in the sport through his work with youth development and scouting.
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