Martin Straka
Encyclopedia
Martin Straka is a Czech
ice hockey
centre
who plays for HC Plzeň 1929 of the Czech Extraliga
. He is also the club's general manager and co-owner.
, and has played for several teams throughout his 18 year NHL career. After producing only 4 goals and 16 points in 31 games, Straka was traded to the Ottawa Senators
on April 7, 1995 for Norm MacIver
and Troy Murray
. The following season, on January 23, 1996, less than a year after being traded to Ottawa, he was traded again. Straka, along with Don Beaupre
and former #1 overall pick Bryan Berard
was traded to the New York Islanders
for Damian Rhodes
and Wade Redden
. He would be placed on waivers and claimed by the Florida Panthers
on March 15, 1996. Florida would not re-sign Straka after the 1996–97 season, which made him an unrestricted free agent. He then returned to Pittsburgh beginning in 1997-98.
He would go on to have a career year during the 2000–2001 season for Pittsburgh as he amassed 27 goals and 95 points and establish himself as one of the leagues premiere two-way players due to his explosive speed and on-ice vision. However, the following season his speedy reputation would be called into jeopardy as Straka would suffer a season-ending injury in the form of a broken leg, an injury which would take him years to recover from. On November 30, 2003, in a cost-cutting move, the Penguins would deal Straka to the Los Angeles Kings
for Russian prospect Sergei Anshakov
and defenceman Martin Strbak
. Straka would later sign as a free agent by the Rangers on August 2, 2005. On January 17, 2007, despite reports that he was considering retirement, Straka signed a one-year contract extension for the 2007–08 season.
On February 16, 2008 in a game against the Buffalo Sabres
, Straka assisted on a goal to record his 700th NHL point.
He was a part of the gold medal-winning Olympic team at the 1998 Winter Olympics
in Nagano. He also won gold in the 2005 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
in Vienna
.
In July 2008, Straka returned home to the Czech Extraliga
, signing a one-year deal with HC Lasselsberger Plzeň (now HC Plzeň 1929).
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
centre
Centre (ice hockey)
The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...
who plays for HC Plzeň 1929 of the Czech Extraliga
Czech Extraliga
The Czech Extraliga is the highest-level ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the third strongest league in Europe....
. He is also the club's general manager and co-owner.
Playing career
Straka was drafted 19th overall by the Penguins in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft1992 NHL Entry Draft
The 1992 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 20 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec. A total of 264 players were drafted.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:...
, and has played for several teams throughout his 18 year NHL career. After producing only 4 goals and 16 points in 31 games, Straka was traded to the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
on April 7, 1995 for Norm MacIver
Norm Maciver
Norman Steven Maciver is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Maciver played in the National Hockey League as a member of the New York Rangers, Hartford Whalers, Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes franchise.-Playing...
and Troy Murray
Troy Murray
Troy Norman Murray is a former professional ice hockey centre who played in the NHL. He is currently the color analyst on WGN-AM broadcasts of Chicago Blackhawks hockey games.-Amateur career:...
. The following season, on January 23, 1996, less than a year after being traded to Ottawa, he was traded again. Straka, along with Don Beaupre
Don Beaupre
Donald William Beaupre is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. Beaupre in his 17 seasons in the NHL played for four teams: the Minnesota North Stars, Washington Capitals, Ottawa Senators, and the Toronto Maple Leafs.-Playing career:Beaupre emerged as a goaltender in the OHA for...
and former #1 overall pick Bryan Berard
Bryan Berard
Bryan Wallace Berard is a former American professional ice hockey player. He was the first overall pick in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators. He is most noted for a debilitating eye injury he received early in his career...
was traded to the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
for Damian Rhodes
Damian Rhodes
Damian "Dusty" Rhodes is an American former professional ice hockey player. Rhodes played from 1993 until 2002 in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
and Wade Redden
Wade Redden
Wade Redden is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing in the New York Rangers organization for its American Hockey League affiliate, the Connecticut Whale. He joined the New York Rangers in 2008 after 11 seasons with the Ottawa Senators...
. He would be placed on waivers and claimed by the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
on March 15, 1996. Florida would not re-sign Straka after the 1996–97 season, which made him an unrestricted free agent. He then returned to Pittsburgh beginning in 1997-98.
He would go on to have a career year during the 2000–2001 season for Pittsburgh as he amassed 27 goals and 95 points and establish himself as one of the leagues premiere two-way players due to his explosive speed and on-ice vision. However, the following season his speedy reputation would be called into jeopardy as Straka would suffer a season-ending injury in the form of a broken leg, an injury which would take him years to recover from. On November 30, 2003, in a cost-cutting move, the Penguins would deal Straka to the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
for Russian prospect Sergei Anshakov
Sergei Anshakov
Sergei Anshakov is a Russian ice hockey left wing. Anshakov was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He began playing in the Russian Super League in 2002 with CSKA Moscow. In 2003, Anshakov was dealt with Martin Strbak to the Penguins for Martin Straka.-Career...
and defenceman Martin Strbak
Martin Strbak
Martin Štrbák is a Slovak Ice hockey defenceman, who plays for HC MVD.- NHL career :He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 9th round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft...
. Straka would later sign as a free agent by the Rangers on August 2, 2005. On January 17, 2007, despite reports that he was considering retirement, Straka signed a one-year contract extension for the 2007–08 season.
On February 16, 2008 in a game against the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
, Straka assisted on a goal to record his 700th NHL point.
He was a part of the gold medal-winning Olympic team at the 1998 Winter Olympics
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
in Nagano. He also won gold in the 2005 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
2005 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
The 2005 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held March 7 - May 15, 2005, in 7 cities in 6 countries: Vienna and Innsbruck, Austria ; Debrecen, Hungary ; Eindhoven, the Netherlands ; Zagreb, Croatia ; Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro ; Mexico City, Mexico...
in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
.
In July 2008, Straka returned home to the Czech Extraliga
Czech Extraliga
The Czech Extraliga is the highest-level ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the third strongest league in Europe....
, signing a one-year deal with HC Lasselsberger Plzeň (now HC Plzeň 1929).
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1989–90 | Plzeň | Czechoslovak | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | Plzeň | Czechoslovak | 47 | 7 | 24 | 31 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Plzeň | Czechoslovak | 36 | 26 | 14 | 40 | 20 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 8 | — | ||
| 1992–93 1992–93 IHL season This was the 1992-93 International Hockey League season.-Regular season:- Turner Cup-Playoffs :- External Links :* on hockeydb.com... |
Cleveland Lumberjacks Cleveland Lumberjacks The Cleveland Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Facts:The Cleveland Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Facts:... |
IHL | 4 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
42 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 29 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 1993–94 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 84 | 30 | 34 | 64 | 24 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 1994–95 1994–95 Czech Extraliga season The 1994–95 Czech Extraliga season was the second season of the Czech Extraliga since its creation after the breakup of Czechoslovakia and the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League in 1993.-Standings:-Quarterfinal:... |
Plzeň | Czech Czech Extraliga The Czech Extraliga is the highest-level ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the third strongest league in Europe.... |
19 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 31 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Ottawa Senators Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 43 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 22 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Florida Panthers Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the... |
NHL | 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 1996–97 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 55 | 7 | 22 | 29 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1997–98 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 75 | 19 | 23 | 42 | 28 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 1998–99 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 80 | 35 | 48 | 83 | 26 | 13 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 6 | ||
| 1999–00 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 71 | 20 | 39 | 59 | 26 | 11 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 10 | ||
| 2000–01 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 82 | 27 | 68 | 95 | 38 | 18 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 8 | ||
| 2001–02 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 13 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 60 | 18 | 28 | 46 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 22 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 32 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 2004–05 Czech Extraliga season The 2004–05 Czech Extraliga season was the 12th season of the Czech Extraliga since its creation after the breakup of Czechoslovakia and the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League in 1993.- Standings :- Playoffs :Quarterfinals... |
Plzeň | Czech | 45 | 16 | 18 | 34 | 76 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
NHL | 82 | 22 | 54 | 76 | 42 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2006–07 | New York Rangers | NHL | 76 | 29 | 41 | 70 | 24 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 2 | ||
| 2007–08 | New York Rangers | NHL | 65 | 14 | 27 | 41 | 22 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 16 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 Czech Extraliga season The 2008–09 Czech Extraliga season was the 16th season of the Czech Extraliga since its creation after the breakup of Czechoslovakia and the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League in 1993.-Standings:-Preliminary round:... |
Plzeň | Czech | 51 | 22 | 30 | 52 | 20 | 17 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 2 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 Czech Extraliga season The 2009–10 Czech Extraliga season was the 17th season of the Czech Extraliga since its creation after the breakup of Czechoslovakia and the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League in 1993... |
Plzeň | Czech | 35 | 17 | 26 | 43 | 32 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 Czech Extraliga season The 2010–11 Czech Extraliga season was the 18th season of the Czech Extraliga since its creation after the breakup of Czechoslovakia and the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League in 1993. In the regular season, HC Oceláři Třinec finished atop the league.... |
Plzeň | Czech | 51 | 17 | 44 | 61 | 12 | |||||||
| NHL totals | 954 | 257 | 460 | 717 | 360 | 106 | 26 | 44 | 70 | 52 | ||||
| Czechoslovak/Czech Extraliga totals | 285 | 115 | 170 | 285 | 166 | 37 | 14 | 19 | 33 | 6 | ||||
International play
| Season | Team | Event | GP | G | A | P | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 Ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics was played at The Big Hat and Aqua Wing Arena in Nagano, Japan.-Men's tournament:The 1998 Olympic men's ice hockey tournament was the first in which professional players from the National Hockey League were allowed to participate, allowing national teams to... |
CzechRep Czech national ice hockey team The Czech men's national ice hockey team is the national ice hockey team of the Czech Republic. It is one of the most successful national ice hockey teams in the world, currently ranked fifth by the IIHF, behind Finland. It is controlled by the Czech Ice Hockey Association... |
Oly 1998 Winter Olympics The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice... |
6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2005 | CzechRep | WC 2005 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships The 2005 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held March 7 - May 15, 2005, in 7 cities in 6 countries: Vienna and Innsbruck, Austria ; Debrecen, Hungary ; Eindhoven, the Netherlands ; Zagreb, Croatia ; Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro ; Mexico City, Mexico... |
9 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 |
| 2006 Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics -Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and... |
CzechRep | Oly 2006 Winter Olympics The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter... |
8 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 6 |