Robert Lang is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 15 seasons. He was born on December 19, 1970, in Teplice, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic). Lang began his hockey career in his home country, playing for HC Litvínov in the Czech Extraliga. He quickly established himself as a talented player, leading the league in scoring in the 1991-92 season.
In 1992, Lang was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the seventh round of the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 1992-93 season, playing in 10 games for the Kings. However, Lang spent most of his early career in the minor leagues, playing for the Phoenix Roadrunners and the Springfield Falcons.
Lang finally established himself as an NHL regular in the 1996-97 season, playing for the Boston Bruins. He had a breakout season in 1998-99, scoring 30 goals and 50 assists for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lang continued to be a productive player throughout his career, playing for several teams including the Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, and Montreal Canadiens.
One of Lang's most memorable seasons came in 2003-04, when he played for the Red Wings. He scored a career-high 30 goals and 40 assists, helping the team win the Presidents' Trophy for the best regular-season record. Lang also played in the NHL All-Star Game that season.
Lang retired from professional hockey in 2010, after playing for HC Sparta Praha in the Czech Extraliga. Over the course of his NHL career, he played in 989 games, scoring 261 goals and 383 assists for a total of 644 points. He also played in 84 playoff games, scoring 17 goals and 29 assists.
Off the ice, Lang was known for his philanthropic work. He established the Robert Lang Foundation, which supports children's charities in the Czech Republic and North America. Lang was also involved in the NHL's Hockey Fights Cancer initiative, which raises money for cancer research and treatment.
In conclusion, Robert Lang was a talented and productive NHL player who played for over 15 seasons. He had a breakout season in 1998-99 and continued to be a productive player throughout his career. Lang retired in 2010 and was known for his philanthropic work off the ice.
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