Pavol Demitra
Encyclopedia
Pavol Demitra was a Slovak
professional ice hockey
player. He played sixteen seasons in the National Hockey League
(NHL), two in the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League (CFIHL)/Slovak Extraliga
and one in the Kontinental Hockey League
(KHL). Known as an offensive player, Demitra was a first- or second-line
forward throughout his career. He died in a plane crash along with his teammates from Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
prior to the 2011–12 KHL season
.
After a season with HC Dukla Trencin
in the CFIHL, Demitra was selected 227th overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
by the Ottawa Senators
. He subsequently left Slovakia to join the Senators organization and played three seasons between the NHL and the American Hockey League
with Ottawa's minor league affiliate, the PEI Senators. Demitra began the 1996–97 season in a contract holdout with the Senators, resulting in him being traded to the St. Louis Blues
in November 1996. After spending the majority of his first season with St. Louis organization in the International Hockey League, he secured a regular roster spot with the Blues in 1996–97. Demitra spent his most successful seasons with St. Louis, being named to three NHL All-Star Games (1999, 2000 and 2002) and winning the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
in 2000. He achieved the 30-goal mark three times and the 90-point mark once as a Blue. Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Demitra returned to HC Dukla Trencin for one season. Upon returning to the NHL the following year, he signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Kings
. After one year with Los Angeles, he was traded to the Minnesota Wild
, where he played on the team's top line with winger Marian Gaborik
. In July 2008, he became an unrestricted free agent and signed with the Vancouver Canucks
. Demitra left the NHL after a two-year stint with the Canucks, joining the KHL's Lokomotiv Yarolsavl; he spent one season with the team.
In international competition, Demitra began his career with Czechoslovakia. He won a gold medal at the 1992 IIHF European U18 Championship
and a bronze medal at the 1993 IIHF World U20 Championship
. After the country split in 1993
, Demitra began competing for Slovakia. Beginning in 1996
, he played in six IIHF World Championships, winning a bronze medal in 2003
and captaining his country in 2011. In 1996
and 2004
, Demitra participated in the NHL-sanctioned World Cup
. He was also a three-time Olympian and played his first tournament in 2002
. Four years later
, he captained Slovakia and in 2010
, where he led all scorers in points and was named to the tournament's All-Star Team.
of the premier Czechoslovak Extraliga
in 1992–93, where he scored 11 goals and 28 points in 46 games. After the season, Demitra was drafted by the Ottawa Senators
in the ninth round, 227th overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
. He came to be considered one of the best draft steals in NHL history.
season with the Ottawa Senators
, and in his first NHL
game on October 9, 1993, Demtira scored on St. Louis Blues goaltender Curtis Joseph
for his first ever NHL goal and point in a 7–5 loss. He would play in 12 games for Ottawa during the season, scoring a goal and two points. Most of the 1993–94 was spent with the Prince Edward Island Senators
of the AHL
, as Demitra had 18 goals and 41 points in 41 games for the team.
Demitra spent most of the 1994–95 with PEI, where in 61 games, Demitra had 26 goals and 74 points to finish third in team scoring. In five playoff games, Demitra had seven assists. Demitra also spent time with Ottawa, as he scored four goals and seven points in 16 games.
He began the 1995–96 season with PEI, as in 48 games, Demitra put up 28 goals and 81 points, which earned him a promotion back to the NHL. With Ottawa, Demitra had seven goals and 17 points in 31 games.
To start the 1996–97
season, Demtira was a contract hold-out with Ottawa. He played a game with HC Dukla Trencin
of the Slovak Extraliga
, getting a goal and two points, before joining the Las Vegas Thunder
of the IHL. With the Thunder, Demitra had eight goals and 21 points in 22 games. On November 27, 1996, the Senators parted ways with Demitra, as Ottawa traded him to the St. Louis Blues for Christer Olsson
.
of the IHL, where in 42 games, Demitra had 20 goals and 50 points. He was called up to the Blues, and played his first game with the club on March 17, 1997, getting no points in a 3–2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes
. Demitra scored his first two goals with St. Louis on April 3, 1997, scoring twice against Tommy Salo
in a 5–5 tie with the New York Islanders
. He finished the season appearing in eight games with St. Louis, scoring three goals. Demitra made his NHL playoff debut on April 16, 1997, recording his first playoff point, an assist, in the Blues 2–0 win over the Detroit Red Wings
. On April 22, 1997, Demitra scored his first playoff goal, beating Red Wings goaltender Mike Vernon
, and added two assists in a 4–0 win over Detroit. Overall, Demitra had a goal and four points in six playoff games.
Demitra made the NHL full-time in 1997–98
, as he played in 61 games with St. Louis, scoring 22 goals and 52 points to finish fifth in team scoring. In 10 playoff games, Demitra had three goals and six points.
The 1998–99
was a break-out season for Demitra, as he finished tenth in NHL scoring with 89 points, as he scored 37 goals and added 52 assists in 82 games. Demitra appeared in the 1999 NHL All-Star Game held in Tampa Bay, Florida, scoring a goal for the World team in a 8–6 loss to North America. In the playoffs, Demitra added five goals and nine points in 13 games.
Demitra continued his success in 1999–2000
, as he scored 27 goals and 75 points in 71 games to lead the Blues in scoring once again. Demitra played in the 2000 NHL All-Star Game held in Toronto, Ontario, where he scored two goals in a 9–4 World victory over North America. Demitra also scored his first career hat trick
, scoring three goals against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on February 12, 2000 in a 6–3 Blues victory. Demitra suffered a season ending injury on March 24, 2000, and missed the playoffs. After the season, he was awarded the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
after he accumulated only eight penalty minutes throughout the season.
Injuries cut short Demitra's season in 2000–01
when he appeared in only 44 games with St. Louis. He scored 20 goals and 45 points to finish fifth in team scoring. He scored a hat trick and added two assists for a five point game against the New York Rangers
on December 20, 2000 in a 6–3 win. Less than a week later, on December 26, 2000, Demitra had another high scoring game, scoring two goals and four points against the Columbus Blue Jackets
in a 5–0 victory. On December 30, 2000, Demitra suffered an injury, however, he came back with the team late in the season, and appeared in 15 playoff games, scoring two goals and six points.
In 2001–02
, Demitra was healthy, as he appeared in all 82 games for St. Louis, scoring 35 goals and 78 points to lead the team in scoring and finish seventh in the league scoring race. Demitra had a league high ten game winning goals. He had a four point night against his former team, the Ottawa Senators
, on November 27, 2001, scoring two goals and two assists in a 4–2 victory. Demitra appeared in the 2002 NHL All-Star Game held in Los Angeles, California
, however, he was held off the scoresheet in a 8–5 World win over North America. In the playoffs, Demitra appeared in 10 games, scoring four goals and 11 points. He had a four point night against the Detroit Red Wings
on May 7, 2002, scoring a goal and three assists in the Blues 6–1 victory.
The 2002–03
was Demitra's most productive in the NHL, as he set a career high with 93 points, which placed him sixth in NHL scoring, as Demtira scored 36 goals and 57 assists in 78 games. He had a hat trick and a season high four points on November 29, 2002 in a 7–2 win over the Calgary Flames
. In the playoffs, Demtira had two goals and six points in seven games.
Demitra had a disappointing 2003–04
season, scoring 23 goals and 58 points, his lowest totals since his injury plagued 2000–01 season, in 68 games. In the playoffs, Demitra had a goal in five contests. This would be his final season with the Blues, as Demitra left the team fifth in franchise scoring with 493 points in 494 games.
cancelling the season, Demitra signed with HC Dukla Trencin
of the Slovak Extraliga
on September 17, 2004. Demitra led the league in scoring with 28 goals and 82 points in 54 games. Demitra scored four goals and 17 points in 12 playoff games with the team.
. On October 5, 2005, Demitra played his first game with the Kings, scoring an assist in a 5–4 loss to the Dallas Stars
. The next night, on October 6, 2005, Demitra scored his first goal with his new team, scoring against David LeNeveu
of the Phoenix Coyotes
in a 3–2 win. Demitra had three four-point games during the season, including one on November 22, 2005 against his former team, the St. Louis Blues in a 6–3 Los Angeles win. Demitra missed 24 games with injuries, including an eye problem, during the season. In 58 games during the season
, Demitra had 25 goals and 62 points to finish third in team scoring. On June 24, 2006, Los Angeles traded Demitra to the Minnesota Wild
for Patrick O'Sullivan
and a first round draft pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft
.
for the 2006–07
season. Demitra played his first game with the Wild on October 5, 2006, recording two assists in a 3–2 win over the Colorado Avalanche
. In his next game on October 7, 2006, Demitra scored his first goal with Minnesota, scoring against Tomas Vokoun
of the Nashville Predators
in a 6–5 victory. Demitra finished the season tied for first in team scoring, as he had 25 goals and 64 points in 71 games. The 64 points were the highest by Demitra since 2002–03. Demitra played in his first playoff game with Minnesota on April 11, 2007, scoring a goal against Ilya Bryzgalov
of the Anaheim Ducks
in a 2–1 loss. Demitra appeared in five playoff games, scoring a goal and four points.
Demitra was named the captain
of the Wild for the month of October 2007 as part of the Wild's rotating captaincy to begin the 2007–08
season. Demitra had a tough season, scoring only 15 goals, his lowest total since 1996–97, and 54 points 68 games as he finished fourth in team scoring. In the playoffs, Demitra had a goal and three points in six games. At the end of the season, he became an unrestricted free agent.
. He played in his first game as a Canuck on October 9, 2008, getting no points in a 6–0 win over the Calgary Flames
. In his next game, also against Calgary, Demitra scored his first goal with Vancouver, the game winning overtime goal against Mikka Kiprusoff in a 5–4 win. He finished the season with 20 goals and 53 points in 69 games, finishing fourth in team scoring. Demitra appeared in his first playoff game with Vancouver on April 15, 2009, recording an assist in a 2–1 win over the St. Louis Blues. Demitra scored his first playoff goal with the Canucks on April 30, 2009, scoring against Nikolai Khabibulin
of the Chicago Blackhawks
in a 5–3 victory. On May 2, 2009, Demitra suffered a shoulder injury against the Blackhawks that would end his season. In six playoff games, Demitra had a goal and three points.
The 2009–10 would be a tough season on Demitra, as he missed most of the regular season with the shoulder injury that occurred in the 2009 playoffs. In 28 games, Demitra had three goals and 16 points, his lowest totals since 1996–97. In the playoffs, Demitra had a three point game against the Los Angeles Kings
on April 23, 2010, helping Vancouver to a 7–2 win. Overall, Demitra appeared in 11 playoff games, scoring two goals and six points. After the season, he became an unrestricted free agent. This would mark the end of Demtira's NHL career. He'd played in 847 career games, and scored 304 goals with 464 assists for 768 points.
of the KHL
on July 15, 2010. In his first season with Lokomotiv, Demitra scored 18 goals and 60 points in 54 games to finish fifth in league scoring. He was named Forward of the Month in January 2011. In 18 playoff games with Yaroslavl, Demitra had six goals and 15 assists for 21 points which placed him second in KHL playoff scoring.
Demitra returned to the team for the 2011–12 season, however, on September 7, 2011, he was killed in a plane crash
with all of his teammates.
in his NHL hometown Vancouver
. On February 18, 2010, he scored in the seventh round of a shootout to help Slovakia beat Russia in the round robin. In the semi-finals against hosts Canada, Slovakia trailed 3–0 after two periods but rallied with 2 goals in the third period, and Demitra nearly scored with 9 seconds remained in regulation but his shot was stopped by Canucks teammate Roberto Luongo
, and the save was dubbed the "Glove from Above". In the bronze medal game against Finland, Demitra assisted twice and scored once in the second period to help his team to a 3–1 lead, though they could not hold on as Finland scored four times (including an empty-net goal) in the third period to claim bronze. Slovakia was ranked in fourth place, as Demitra led the tournament in points with 10 and tied for the lead in assists with seven. His play in the tournament led him to a selection to the all-star team.
Demitra played for Czechoslovakia in the following competitions:
Demitra has played for Slovakia in the following competitions:
The majority of the club's roster were killed in the plane crash. The airplane caught fire and crashed shortly after take-off, merely 4 kilometers from the Tunoshna
airport. Preliminary reports say that 43 of the 45 passengers on board had been killed, including the entire roster and 4 youth players, and that the remaining one (Alexander Galimov
) was in critical condition. However, Galimov died a few days later. Demitra's agent, Matt Keator, has confirmed his client's death.
Demitra was survived by his wife Maja and two children, Lucas and Zara. He was predeceased by his infant son, Tobias.
Source:
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
professional 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...
player. He played sixteen seasons in the National Hockey League
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...
(NHL), two in the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League (CFIHL)/Slovak Extraliga
Slovak Extraliga
Slovak Extraliga is the name of the highest-level ice hockey league in Slovakia. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the fifth strongest league in Europe. The name of the league is leased to sponsor and changes frequently. From 1993/94 to 1997/98 season it was called Extraliga, then the name...
and one in the Kontinental Hockey League
Kontinental Hockey League
The Kontinental Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league in Eurasia founded in 2008. As of 2009, it is ranked as the strongest hockey league in Europe....
(KHL). Known as an offensive player, Demitra was a first- or second-line
Line (ice hockey)
A line in ice hockey is a term used to describe a group of forwards that play in a group, or shift, during a game.A complete forward line consists of a left wing, a center, and a right wing, while a pair of defensemen who play together are called a "defensive pairing." Typically, a team dresses...
forward throughout his career. He died in a plane crash along with his teammates from Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Hockey Club Lokomotiv , also known as Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, is a Russian professional ice hockey team based in Yaroslavl. The name of the team is derived from its owner, Russian Railways, the national railroad operator....
prior to the 2011–12 KHL season
2011–12 KHL season
The 2011–12 KHL season is the fourth season of the Kontinental Hockey League. The regular season originally began on 7 September 2011 with the Opening Cup game, but because of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash, which killed all but one member of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team, the start of the...
.
After a season with HC Dukla Trencin
HC Dukla Trencín
capacity 6100HC Dukla Trenčín is a professional ice hockey team in the Slovak Extraliga, based in Trenčín, Slovakia. They play their home games at Trenčín Zimny Arena.-History:The club was established in 1962 as an army hockey club...
in the CFIHL, Demitra was selected 227th overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
1993 NHL Entry Draft
The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
by 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...
. He subsequently left Slovakia to join the Senators organization and played three seasons between the NHL and the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
with Ottawa's minor league affiliate, the PEI Senators. Demitra began the 1996–97 season in a contract holdout with the Senators, resulting in him being traded to the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
in November 1996. After spending the majority of his first season with St. Louis organization in the International Hockey League, he secured a regular roster spot with the Blues in 1996–97. Demitra spent his most successful seasons with St. Louis, being named to three NHL All-Star Games (1999, 2000 and 2002) and winning the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, formerly known as the Lady Byng Trophy, is presented each year to the National Hockey League "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability"...
in 2000. He achieved the 30-goal mark three times and the 90-point mark once as a Blue. Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Demitra returned to HC Dukla Trencin for one season. Upon returning to the NHL the following year, he signed as a free agent with 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...
. After one year with Los Angeles, he was traded to the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
, where he played on the team's top line with winger Marian Gaborik
Marian Gaborik
Marián Gáborík is a Slovak professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He began his career in the Slovak Extraliga with HC Dukla Trenčín for two seasons before being drafted third overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the...
. In July 2008, he became an unrestricted free agent and signed with the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
. Demitra left the NHL after a two-year stint with the Canucks, joining the KHL's Lokomotiv Yarolsavl; he spent one season with the team.
In international competition, Demitra began his career with Czechoslovakia. He won a gold medal at the 1992 IIHF European U18 Championship
1992 IIHF European U18 Championship
The 1992 IIHF European U18 Championship was the twenty-fifth playing of the IIHF European Junior Championships.- First round:Group 1Group 2- Final round:Championship round7th placeSwitzerland was relegated to Group B for 1993...
and a bronze medal at the 1993 IIHF World U20 Championship
1993 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 1993 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 17th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held in Gävle, Sweden. Canada won the gold medal, its sixth championship, while Sweden won silver, and the combined team of the Czech and Slovak Republics won bronze...
. After the country split in 1993
Dissolution of Czechoslovakia
The dissolution of Czechoslovakia, which took effect on 1 January 1993, was an event that saw the self-determined separation of the federal state of Czechoslovakia. The Czech Republic and Slovakia, entities which had arisen in 1969 within the framework of Czechoslovak federalisation, became...
, Demitra began competing for Slovakia. Beginning in 1996
1996 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
- Group 2 :- Quarterfinals :- Consolation Round 11-12 Place :Austria was relegated to Group B.- Semifinals :- Match for third place :- Final :-World Championship Group B :...
, he played in six IIHF World Championships, winning a bronze medal in 2003
2003 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
-Relegation round: avoids relegation by defeating 4-1 in the 2004 IIHF World Championship Far East Qualification game. and are demoted to Division I at the 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships.-Scoring leaders:-Goaltending leaders:-Group A:...
and captaining his country in 2011. In 1996
1996 World Cup of Hockey
The first World Cup of Hockey , or 1996 World Cup of Hockey, replaced the Canada Cup as one of the premier championships for professional ice hockey ....
and 2004
2004 World Cup of Hockey
The 2004 World Cup of Hockey was an international ice hockey tournament. It was the second installment of the National Hockey League -sanctioned competition eight years after the inaugural 1996 World Cup of Hockey. It was held from August 30 to September 14, 2004, and took place in various venues...
, Demitra participated in the NHL-sanctioned World Cup
World Cup of Hockey
The World Cup of Hockey is an international ice hockey tournament. Inaugurated in 1996, it is the successor to the previous Canada Cup, which ran from 1976 to 1991...
. He was also a three-time Olympian and played his first tournament in 2002
Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics were held at the E Center in West Valley City and Peaks Ice Arena in Provo, Utah. Both the men's and women's tournaments were won by Canada, defeating the host USA in both games.-Men:...
. Four years later
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...
, he captained Slovakia and in 2010
Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics was held at Canada Hockey Place, home of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks, and at UBC Winter Sports Centre, home of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport's UBC Thunderbirds. Twelve teams competed in the men's event and eight teams competed in the...
, where he led all scorers in points and was named to the tournament's All-Star Team.
Czechoslovakia
Demitra began playing at the men's level with ZTS Dubnica in Czechoslovakia's second-tier league; he recorded 23 points (13 goals and 10 assists) over 28 games. The following season, Demitra joined HC Dukla TrencinHC Dukla Trencín
capacity 6100HC Dukla Trenčín is a professional ice hockey team in the Slovak Extraliga, based in Trenčín, Slovakia. They play their home games at Trenčín Zimny Arena.-History:The club was established in 1962 as an army hockey club...
of the premier Czechoslovak Extraliga
Czechoslovak Extraliga
The Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League was the elite ice hockey league in Czechoslovakia from 1930 until 1993, when the country split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Slovak Extraliga and Czech Extraliga formed from the split.-See also:...
in 1992–93, where he scored 11 goals and 28 points in 46 games. After the season, Demitra was drafted by 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...
in the ninth round, 227th overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
1993 NHL Entry Draft
The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
. He came to be considered one of the best draft steals in NHL history.
Ottawa Senators
Demitra began the 1993–941993-94 NHL season
-Final:The Final pitted the New York Rangers, seeking to win their first Cup since 1940, versus the Vancouver Canucks, looking for their first-ever Cup win. The series was hard-fought and went the full seven games. The Rangers took a 3–1 series lead, but the Canucks won the next two to force a game...
season with 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...
, and in his first 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...
game on October 9, 1993, Demtira scored on St. Louis Blues goaltender Curtis Joseph
Curtis Joseph
Curtis Shayne Joseph is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He last played for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League....
for his first ever NHL goal and point in a 7–5 loss. He would play in 12 games for Ottawa during the season, scoring a goal and two points. Most of the 1993–94 was spent with the Prince Edward Island Senators
Prince Edward Island Senators
The Prince Edward Island Senators are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1993 to 1996. Originally located in New Haven, Connecticut for 21 seasons, including one as the affiliate of the Ottawa Senators, the franchise relocated to Charlottetown, Prince Edward...
of the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
, as Demitra had 18 goals and 41 points in 41 games for the team.
Demitra spent most of the 1994–95 with PEI, where in 61 games, Demitra had 26 goals and 74 points to finish third in team scoring. In five playoff games, Demitra had seven assists. Demitra also spent time with Ottawa, as he scored four goals and seven points in 16 games.
He began the 1995–96 season with PEI, as in 48 games, Demitra put up 28 goals and 81 points, which earned him a promotion back to the NHL. With Ottawa, Demitra had seven goals and 17 points in 31 games.
To start the 1996–97
1996-97 NHL season
The 1996–97 NHL season was the 80th regular season of the National Hockey League. The Stanley Cup winners were the Detroit Red Wings, who swept the Philadelphia Flyers in four games and won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 42 years. The regular season saw a decline in scoring and rise in the...
season, Demtira was a contract hold-out with Ottawa. He played a game with HC Dukla Trencin
HC Dukla Trencín
capacity 6100HC Dukla Trenčín is a professional ice hockey team in the Slovak Extraliga, based in Trenčín, Slovakia. They play their home games at Trenčín Zimny Arena.-History:The club was established in 1962 as an army hockey club...
of the Slovak Extraliga
Slovak Extraliga
Slovak Extraliga is the name of the highest-level ice hockey league in Slovakia. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the fifth strongest league in Europe. The name of the league is leased to sponsor and changes frequently. From 1993/94 to 1997/98 season it was called Extraliga, then the name...
, getting a goal and two points, before joining the Las Vegas Thunder
Las Vegas Thunder
The Las Vegas Thunder were an independent professional ice hockey team competing in the International Hockey League. The team's home rink was at the Thomas & Mack Center. They began play in the 1993–1994 season, folding on April 18, 1999...
of the IHL. With the Thunder, Demitra had eight goals and 21 points in 22 games. On November 27, 1996, the Senators parted ways with Demitra, as Ottawa traded him to the St. Louis Blues for Christer Olsson
Christer Olsson
Christer Olsson is a Swedish former professional ice hockey player and the current head coach of Leksands IF in the HockeyAllsvenskan. Olsson played briefly in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues and Ottawa Senators. He played Defense and shot left-handed.-Playing career:Olsson was drafted by the...
.
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues assigned Demitra to the Grand Rapids GriffinsGrand Rapids Griffins
The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Van Andel Arena. They are the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League....
of the IHL, where in 42 games, Demitra had 20 goals and 50 points. He was called up to the Blues, and played his first game with the club on March 17, 1997, getting no points in a 3–2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
. Demitra scored his first two goals with St. Louis on April 3, 1997, scoring twice against Tommy Salo
Tommy Salo
Tommy Mikael Salo is a Swedish General Manager of Swedish ice hockey club Leksands IF of the HockeyAllsvenskan. He is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender and a former head coach of IK Oskarshamn.-Playing career:...
in a 5–5 tie with 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...
. He finished the season appearing in eight games with St. Louis, scoring three goals. Demitra made his NHL playoff debut on April 16, 1997, recording his first playoff point, an assist, in the Blues 2–0 win over the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
. On April 22, 1997, Demitra scored his first playoff goal, beating Red Wings goaltender Mike Vernon
Mike Vernon
Michael Vernon was an Australian consumer activist.Michael Vernon is also the name of:* Mike Vernon , Canadian former NHL goaltender* Mike Vernon , British record producer...
, and added two assists in a 4–0 win over Detroit. Overall, Demitra had a goal and four points in six playoff games.
Demitra made the NHL full-time in 1997–98
1997-98 NHL season
-Stanley Cup Final:The 1998 Stanley Cup Final was played in the 105th year of the Stanley Cup. The series was played between the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings and the Eastern Conference champion Washington Capitals. The Red Wings were led by Captain Steve Yzerman, Coach Scotty...
, as he played in 61 games with St. Louis, scoring 22 goals and 52 points to finish fifth in team scoring. In 10 playoff games, Demitra had three goals and six points.
The 1998–99
1998-99 NHL season
-Stanley Cup Final:The teams split the first two games, held in Dallas, then split the following two games in Buffalo. In the fifth game, Dallas shut out Buffalo to put the Sabres on the brink of elimination. Game 6 was held in Buffalo and it went to triple-overtime before being decided on Brett...
was a break-out season for Demitra, as he finished tenth in NHL scoring with 89 points, as he scored 37 goals and added 52 assists in 82 games. Demitra appeared in the 1999 NHL All-Star Game held in Tampa Bay, Florida, scoring a goal for the World team in a 8–6 loss to North America. In the playoffs, Demitra added five goals and nine points in 13 games.
Demitra continued his success in 1999–2000
1999-2000 NHL season
-Final:The New Jersey Devils defeated the Dallas Stars four games to two to win the Stanley Cup. Scott Stevens of New Jersey was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs' most valuable player.-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:...
, as he scored 27 goals and 75 points in 71 games to lead the Blues in scoring once again. Demitra played in the 2000 NHL All-Star Game held in Toronto, Ontario, where he scored two goals in a 9–4 World victory over North America. Demitra also scored his first career hat trick
Hat Trick
Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
, scoring three goals against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on February 12, 2000 in a 6–3 Blues victory. Demitra suffered a season ending injury on March 24, 2000, and missed the playoffs. After the season, he was awarded the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
The Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, formerly known as the Lady Byng Trophy, is presented each year to the National Hockey League "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability"...
after he accumulated only eight penalty minutes throughout the season.
Injuries cut short Demitra's season in 2000–01
2000-01 NHL season
The 2000–01 NHL season was the 84th regular season of the National Hockey League. Thirty teams each played 82 games. The Stanley Cup winners were the Colorado Avalanche, who won the best of seven series 4–3 against the New Jersey Devils...
when he appeared in only 44 games with St. Louis. He scored 20 goals and 45 points to finish fifth in team scoring. He scored a hat trick and added two assists for a five point game against the 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...
on December 20, 2000 in a 6–3 win. Less than a week later, on December 26, 2000, Demitra had another high scoring game, scoring two goals and four points against the Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in a 5–0 victory. On December 30, 2000, Demitra suffered an injury, however, he came back with the team late in the season, and appeared in 15 playoff games, scoring two goals and six points.
In 2001–02
2001-02 NHL season
The 2001–02 NHL season was the 85th regular season of the National Hockey League. Thirty teams each played 82 games. The Stanley Cup winners were the Detroit Red Wings, who won the best of seven series 4–1 against the Carolina Hurricanes.-League business:...
, Demitra was healthy, as he appeared in all 82 games for St. Louis, scoring 35 goals and 78 points to lead the team in scoring and finish seventh in the league scoring race. Demitra had a league high ten game winning goals. He had a four point night against his former team, 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 November 27, 2001, scoring two goals and two assists in a 4–2 victory. Demitra appeared in the 2002 NHL All-Star Game held in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, however, he was held off the scoresheet in a 8–5 World win over North America. In the playoffs, Demitra appeared in 10 games, scoring four goals and 11 points. He had a four point night against the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
on May 7, 2002, scoring a goal and three assists in the Blues 6–1 victory.
The 2002–03
2002-03 NHL season
The 2002–03 NHL season was the 86th regular season of the National Hockey League. The Stanley Cup winners were the New Jersey Devils, who won the best of seven series 4–3 against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. This was the last season before the NHL switched home and away jerseys.-Regular season:As...
was Demitra's most productive in the NHL, as he set a career high with 93 points, which placed him sixth in NHL scoring, as Demtira scored 36 goals and 57 assists in 78 games. He had a hat trick and a season high four points on November 29, 2002 in a 7–2 win over the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
. In the playoffs, Demtira had two goals and six points in seven games.
Demitra had a disappointing 2003–04
2003-04 NHL season
The 2003–04 NHL season was the 87th regular season of the National Hockey League. The thirty teams played 82 games in a revamped format that increased divisional games from 5 to 6 per team , conference games from 3 to 4 , and decreased inter-conference games to at least one per team, with three...
season, scoring 23 goals and 58 points, his lowest totals since his injury plagued 2000–01 season, in 68 games. In the playoffs, Demitra had a goal in five contests. This would be his final season with the Blues, as Demitra left the team fifth in franchise scoring with 493 points in 494 games.
HC Dukla Trenčin
With the 2004-05 NHL lockout2004-05 NHL lockout
The 2004–05 NHL lockout was a lockout that resulted in the cancellation of what would have been the 88th season of play of the National Hockey League . It was the first time the Stanley Cup was not awarded since 1919, and the first time a major professional sports league in North America canceled a...
cancelling the season, Demitra signed with HC Dukla Trencin
HC Dukla Trencín
capacity 6100HC Dukla Trenčín is a professional ice hockey team in the Slovak Extraliga, based in Trenčín, Slovakia. They play their home games at Trenčín Zimny Arena.-History:The club was established in 1962 as an army hockey club...
of the Slovak Extraliga
Slovak Extraliga
Slovak Extraliga is the name of the highest-level ice hockey league in Slovakia. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the fifth strongest league in Europe. The name of the league is leased to sponsor and changes frequently. From 1993/94 to 1997/98 season it was called Extraliga, then the name...
on September 17, 2004. Demitra led the league in scoring with 28 goals and 82 points in 54 games. Demitra scored four goals and 17 points in 12 playoff games with the team.
Los Angeles Kings
On August 2, 2005, Demitra signed a three year, $13.5 million contract with the Los Angeles KingsLos 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...
. On October 5, 2005, Demitra played his first game with the Kings, scoring an assist in a 5–4 loss to the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
. The next night, on October 6, 2005, Demitra scored his first goal with his new team, scoring against David LeNeveu
David LeNeveu
David LeNeveu is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He currently plays for the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League .-Playing career:...
of the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
in a 3–2 win. Demitra had three four-point games during the season, including one on November 22, 2005 against his former team, the St. Louis Blues in a 6–3 Los Angeles win. Demitra missed 24 games with injuries, including an eye problem, during the season. In 58 games during the season
2005-06 NHL season
The 2005–06 NHL season was the 89th season of operation of the National Hockey League . This was the season after the 2004–05 season which had all of its scheduled games canceled due to a labor dispute with the NHL Players Association over the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league...
, Demitra had 25 goals and 62 points to finish third in team scoring. On June 24, 2006, Los Angeles traded Demitra to the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
for Patrick O'Sullivan
Patrick O'Sullivan
Patrick O'Sullivan is an American professional ice hockey forward who is currently under contract with the Phoenix Coyotes...
and a first round draft pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft
2006 NHL Entry Draft
The 2006 NHL Entry Draft was the 44th NHL Entry Draft. It was held at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on June 24, 2006.The draft order for the first 14 picks was decided during a lottery held on April 20, 2006....
.
Minnesota Wild
Demitra joined the Wild and fellow Slovak Marian GaborikMarian Gaborik
Marián Gáborík is a Slovak professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He began his career in the Slovak Extraliga with HC Dukla Trenčín for two seasons before being drafted third overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the...
for the 2006–07
2006-07 NHL season
In each round, the highest remaining seed in each conference is matched against the lowest remaining seed. The higher-seeded team is awarded home ice advantage, which gives them a maximum possible four games on their home ice, with the other team getting a maximum possible three...
season. Demitra played his first game with the Wild on October 5, 2006, recording two assists in a 3–2 win over the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
. In his next game on October 7, 2006, Demitra scored his first goal with Minnesota, scoring against Tomas Vokoun
Tomas Vokoun
Tomáš Vokoun is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
of the Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in a 6–5 victory. Demitra finished the season tied for first in team scoring, as he had 25 goals and 64 points in 71 games. The 64 points were the highest by Demitra since 2002–03. Demitra played in his first playoff game with Minnesota on April 11, 2007, scoring a goal against Ilya Bryzgalov
Ilya Bryzgalov
Ilya Nikolayevich Bryzgalov is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League after being acquired by the team on June 7, 2011. He was selected in the second round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, 44th overall, by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.In...
of the Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in a 2–1 loss. Demitra appeared in five playoff games, scoring a goal and four points.
Demitra was named the captain
Captain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
of the Wild for the month of October 2007 as part of the Wild's rotating captaincy to begin the 2007–08
2007-08 NHL season
The 2007–08 NHL season was the 91st season of operation of the National Hockey League . It began on September 29, 2007, with the regular season ending April 6, 2008...
season. Demitra had a tough season, scoring only 15 goals, his lowest total since 1996–97, and 54 points 68 games as he finished fourth in team scoring. In the playoffs, Demitra had a goal and three points in six games. At the end of the season, he became an unrestricted free agent.
Vancouver Canucks
On July 10, 2008, Demitra signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Vancouver CanucksVancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
. He played in his first game as a Canuck on October 9, 2008, getting no points in a 6–0 win over the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
. In his next game, also against Calgary, Demitra scored his first goal with Vancouver, the game winning overtime goal against Mikka Kiprusoff in a 5–4 win. He finished the season with 20 goals and 53 points in 69 games, finishing fourth in team scoring. Demitra appeared in his first playoff game with Vancouver on April 15, 2009, recording an assist in a 2–1 win over the St. Louis Blues. Demitra scored his first playoff goal with the Canucks on April 30, 2009, scoring against Nikolai Khabibulin
Nikolai Khabibulin
Nikolai Ivanovich Khabibulin is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League...
of the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
in a 5–3 victory. On May 2, 2009, Demitra suffered a shoulder injury against the Blackhawks that would end his season. In six playoff games, Demitra had a goal and three points.
The 2009–10 would be a tough season on Demitra, as he missed most of the regular season with the shoulder injury that occurred in the 2009 playoffs. In 28 games, Demitra had three goals and 16 points, his lowest totals since 1996–97. In the playoffs, Demitra had a three point game against 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...
on April 23, 2010, helping Vancouver to a 7–2 win. Overall, Demitra appeared in 11 playoff games, scoring two goals and six points. After the season, he became an unrestricted free agent. This would mark the end of Demtira's NHL career. He'd played in 847 career games, and scored 304 goals with 464 assists for 768 points.
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Demitra joined Lokomotiv YaroslavlLokomotiv Yaroslavl
Hockey Club Lokomotiv , also known as Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, is a Russian professional ice hockey team based in Yaroslavl. The name of the team is derived from its owner, Russian Railways, the national railroad operator....
of the KHL
Kontinental Hockey League
The Kontinental Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league in Eurasia founded in 2008. As of 2009, it is ranked as the strongest hockey league in Europe....
on July 15, 2010. In his first season with Lokomotiv, Demitra scored 18 goals and 60 points in 54 games to finish fifth in league scoring. He was named Forward of the Month in January 2011. In 18 playoff games with Yaroslavl, Demitra had six goals and 15 assists for 21 points which placed him second in KHL playoff scoring.
Demitra returned to the team for the 2011–12 season, however, on September 7, 2011, he was killed in a plane crash
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash
The Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash occurred at 16:05 MT on Wednesday, 7 September 2011, when a Yak-Service Yakovlev Yak-42, carrying the players and coaching staff of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl professional ice hockey team, crashed near the Russian city of Yaroslavl...
with all of his teammates.
International play
Demitra was named to Team Slovakia for the 2010 Winter Olympics2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
in his NHL hometown Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
. On February 18, 2010, he scored in the seventh round of a shootout to help Slovakia beat Russia in the round robin. In the semi-finals against hosts Canada, Slovakia trailed 3–0 after two periods but rallied with 2 goals in the third period, and Demitra nearly scored with 9 seconds remained in regulation but his shot was stopped by Canucks teammate Roberto Luongo
Roberto Luongo
Roberto Luongo is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . Born in Montreal, Quebec, he is of Italian and Irish ancestry. He employs the butterfly style of goaltending...
, and the save was dubbed the "Glove from Above". In the bronze medal game against Finland, Demitra assisted twice and scored once in the second period to help his team to a 3–1 lead, though they could not hold on as Finland scored four times (including an empty-net goal) in the third period to claim bronze. Slovakia was ranked in fourth place, as Demitra led the tournament in points with 10 and tied for the lead in assists with seven. His play in the tournament led him to a selection to the all-star team.
Demitra played for Czechoslovakia in the following competitions:
- 1992 European Junior Championships
- 1993 World Junior Championships1993 World Junior Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 1993 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 17th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held in Gävle, Sweden. Canada won the gold medal, its sixth championship, while Sweden won silver, and the combined team of the Czech and Slovak Republics won bronze...
(bronze medal)
Demitra has played for Slovakia in the following competitions:
- 1996 World Championships1996 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships- Group 2 :- Quarterfinals :- Consolation Round 11-12 Place :Austria was relegated to Group B.- Semifinals :- Match for third place :- Final :-World Championship Group B :...
- 1996 World Cup1996 World Cup of HockeyThe first World Cup of Hockey , or 1996 World Cup of Hockey, replaced the Canada Cup as one of the premier championships for professional ice hockey ....
- 2002 Winter Olympics2002 Winter OlympicsThe 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
in Salt Lake City - 2003 World Championships2003 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships-Relegation round: avoids relegation by defeating 4-1 in the 2004 IIHF World Championship Far East Qualification game. and are demoted to Division I at the 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships.-Scoring leaders:-Goaltending leaders:-Group A:...
(bronze medal) - 2004 World Championship2004 Men's World Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 2004 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held April 24-May 9, 2004, in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic. Games for this Ice Hockey World Championships tournament were played at Sazka Arena and ČEZ Aréna...
- 2004 World Cup2004 World Cup of HockeyThe 2004 World Cup of Hockey was an international ice hockey tournament. It was the second installment of the National Hockey League -sanctioned competition eight years after the inaugural 1996 World Cup of Hockey. It was held from August 30 to September 14, 2004, and took place in various venues...
- 2005 World Championships2005 Men's World Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 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...
- 2006 Winter Olympics2006 Winter OlympicsThe 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...
in Torino (captain) - 2007 World Championships2007 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships-Championship:Final standings# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # — relegated to Division I for 2008# — relegated to Division I for 2008- Group A :Final standings# — promoted to Championship for 2008# # # #...
- 2010 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 2010 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics was held at Canada Hockey Place, home of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks, and at UBC Winter Sports Centre, home of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport's UBC Thunderbirds. Twelve teams competed in the men's event and eight teams competed in the...
in VancouverVancouverVancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,... - 2011 World Championships2011 Men's World Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 2011 IIHF World Championship was the 75th IIHF World Championship, an annual international ice hockey tournament. It took place between the 29 April and the 15 May 2011 in Slovakia. The games were played in the Orange Arena in Bratislava, and the Steel Aréna in Košice...
(captain)
Awards and achievements
- Awarded the Lady Byng Memorial TrophyLady Byng Memorial TrophyThe Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, formerly known as the Lady Byng Trophy, is presented each year to the National Hockey League "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability"...
in 2000. - Played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1999, 2000 and 2002.
- All-star selection and leading scorer of the 2010 Olympic hockey tournament
- Fifth on St. Louis BluesSt. Louis BluesThe St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
' all-time scoring list – 204 goals, 289 assists, 493 points in 494 games - Team Slovakia retired Demitra's No. 38 jersey on September 11, 2011.
- HC Dukla TrenčínHC Dukla Trencíncapacity 6100HC Dukla Trenčín is a professional ice hockey team in the Slovak Extraliga, based in Trenčín, Slovakia. They play their home games at Trenčín Zimny Arena.-History:The club was established in 1962 as an army hockey club...
retired Demitra's No. 38 jersey on September 16, 2011. Former teammate and close friend Marián HossaMarian HossaMarián Hossa is a Slovak professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . Hossa was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft; after playing for the Senators, he played for the Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and...
hoisted his number to the rafters.
Death
The 2011 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash occurred on September 7, 2011, at 4:02 PM local time, when a Yakovlev Yak-42 passenger aircraft, carrying the entire hockey team of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) crashed near Yaroslavl, Russia on its way to Minsk, Belarus, to start the 2011–12 KHL season.The majority of the club's roster were killed in the plane crash. The airplane caught fire and crashed shortly after take-off, merely 4 kilometers from the Tunoshna
Tunoshna Airport
Tunoshna is an airport in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia located 18 km southeast of Yaroslavl. It services medium-sized airliners. It does not serve any scheduled airlines....
airport. Preliminary reports say that 43 of the 45 passengers on board had been killed, including the entire roster and 4 youth players, and that the remaining one (Alexander Galimov
Alexander Galimov
Alexander Saidgereyevich Galimov was a Russian professional ice hockey player. At the time of his death, he was a member of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League .-Playing career:...
) was in critical condition. However, Galimov died a few days later. Demitra's agent, Matt Keator, has confirmed his client's death.
Demitra was survived by his wife Maja and two children, Lucas and Zara. He was predeceased by his infant son, Tobias.
Regular season and playoffs
| 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 | ||
| 1991–92 | ZTS Dubnica | CSFR-2 | 28 | 13 | 10 | 23 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | ZTS Dubnica | CSFR-2 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | HC Dukla Trenčín HC Dukla Trencín capacity 6100HC Dukla Trenčín is a professional ice hockey team in the Slovak Extraliga, based in Trenčín, Slovakia. They play their home games at Trenčín Zimny Arena.-History:The club was established in 1962 as an army hockey club... |
Czechoslovak | 46 | 10 | 18 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | 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 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... |
12 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 1993–94 AHL season The 1993–94 AHL season was the 58th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The St. John's Maple Leafs finished first overall in the regular season... |
PEI Senators | AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
41 | 18 | 23 | 41 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 16 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 1994–95 AHL season The 1994–95 AHL season was the 59th season of the American Hockey League. The All-Star Game is revived, with All-Stars grouped into "Team Canada" and "Team USA." Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule... |
PEI Senators | AHL | 61 | 26 | 48 | 74 | 23 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | ||
| 1995–96 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 31 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 1995–96 AHL season The 1995–96 AHL season was the 60th season of the American Hockey League. The AHL expands by two teams and realigns into two conferences, and four divisions. The Northern Conference includes the North and Atlantic Divisions... |
PEI Senators | AHL | 48 | 28 | 53 | 81 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | HC Dukla Trenčín | Slovak Slovak Extraliga Slovak Extraliga is the name of the highest-level ice hockey league in Slovakia. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the fifth strongest league in Europe. The name of the league is leased to sponsor and changes frequently. From 1993/94 to 1997/98 season it was called Extraliga, then the name... |
1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Las Vegas Thunder Las Vegas Thunder The Las Vegas Thunder were an independent professional ice hockey team competing in the International Hockey League. The team's home rink was at the Thomas & Mack Center. They began play in the 1993–1994 season, folding on April 18, 1999... |
IHL | 22 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Grand Rapids Griffins Grand Rapids Griffins The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Van Andel Arena. They are the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League.... |
IHL | 42 | 20 | 30 | 50 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | St. Louis Blues St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade... |
NHL | 8 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 1997–98 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 61 | 22 | 30 | 52 | 22 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 2 | ||
| 1998–99 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 82 | 37 | 52 | 89 | 16 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 4 | ||
| 1999–00 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 71 | 28 | 47 | 75 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 44 | 20 | 25 | 45 | 16 | 15 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | ||
| 2001–02 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 82 | 35 | 43 | 78 | 46 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 6 | ||
| 2002–03 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 78 | 36 | 57 | 93 | 32 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | ||
| 2003–04 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 68 | 23 | 35 | 58 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 2004–05 | HC Dukla Trenčín | Slovak | 54 | 28 | 54 | 82 | 39 | 12 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 14 | ||
| 2005–06 | 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 | 58 | 25 | 37 | 62 | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Minnesota Wild Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... |
NHL | 71 | 25 | 39 | 64 | 28 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2007–08 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 68 | 15 | 39 | 54 | 24 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... |
NHL | 69 | 20 | 33 | 53 | 20 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 28 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 KHL season The 2010–11 KHL season is the third season of the Kontinental Hockey League. It was held from 8 September 2010 and ended on 16 April 2011.The season started with the Opening Cup game between the last season's finalists, Ak Bars Kazan and the new team that was created by merging last season's... |
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Hockey Club Lokomotiv , also known as Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, is a Russian professional ice hockey team based in Yaroslavl. The name of the team is derived from its owner, Russian Railways, the national railroad operator.... |
KHL | 54 | 18 | 42 | 60 | 29 | 18 | 6 | 15 | 21 | 4 | ||
| NHL totals | 847 | 304 | 464 | 768 | 284 | 94 | 23 | 36 | 59 | 34 | ||||
All-Star Games
| Year | Location | G | A | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 49th National Hockey League All-Star Game The 49th National Hockey League All-Star Game took place on January 24, 1999, at the Ice Palace in Tampa Bay, Florida, home to the Tampa Bay Lightning.-"North America" and the World:... |
Tampa Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the... |
1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2000 50th National Hockey League All-Star Game The 50th National Hockey League All-Star Game was part of the 1999–2000 NHL season, and took place in Toronto's Air Canada Centre on February 6, 2000.... |
Toronto Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2002 52nd National Hockey League All-Star Game The 52nd National Hockey League All-Star Game took place on February 2, 2002, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The final score was World 8, North America 5. This was the last National Hockey League All-Star Game to have the North America vs... |
Los Angeles 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... |
0 | 0 | 0 | |
| All-Star totals | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
Transactions
- November 27, 1996 – Traded to St.Louis by Ottawa for Christer OlssonChrister OlssonChrister Olsson is a Swedish former professional ice hockey player and the current head coach of Leksands IF in the HockeyAllsvenskan. Olsson played briefly in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues and Ottawa Senators. He played Defense and shot left-handed.-Playing career:Olsson was drafted by the...
. - September 17, 2004 – Signed as a free agent by Trencin (Slovakia).
- August 2, 2005 – Signed as a free agent by Los Angeles KingsLos Angeles KingsThe 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...
. - June 24, 2006 – Traded to Minnesota WildMinnesota WildThe Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
by Los Angeles for Patrick O'Sullivan and first round pick (Edmonton OilersEdmonton OilersThe Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
' pick) in 2006 NHL Entry Draft2006 NHL Entry DraftThe 2006 NHL Entry Draft was the 44th NHL Entry Draft. It was held at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on June 24, 2006.The draft order for the first 14 picks was decided during a lottery held on April 20, 2006....
(Trevor LewisTrevor LewisTrevor Lewis is an American professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
). - July 10, 2008 – Signed as a free agent by Vancouver CanucksVancouver CanucksThe Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
.
Source:
See also
- Slovaks in the NHL
- List of ice hockey players who died during their playing career