Stan Mikita
Encyclopedia
Stanislav "Stan" Mikita (born Stanislav Guoth; May 20, 1940), is a Slovak-born Canadian retired professional ice hockey
player, generally regarded as the best centre of the 1960s. In 1961
, he won the Stanley Cup
with the Chicago Blackhawks
, with whom he played his entire career.
, Slovak Republic as Stanislav Guoth, but moved to St. Catharines, Ontario
, as a young boy to escape Communist-controlled Czechoslovakia
. He was adopted by his aunt and uncle who gave him their surname, Mikita.
of the Ontario Hockey Association
, Mikita was promoted to the parent Chicago Blackhawks in 1959. In his second full year, in 1961, the Hawks won their third Stanley Cup
. The young centre led the entire league in goals during the playoffs, scoring a total of six.
The following season was his breakout year. Stan Mikita became a star as centre of the famed "Scooter Line", (with right wing Ken Wharram and left wingers Ab McDonald
and Doug Mohns
). He became the most-feared centre of the Sixties. With superstar teammate Bobby Hull
, the Black Hawks had the most powerful offense of the decade, generally leading the league in goals scored. Combining skilled defense and a reputation as one of the game's best faceoff men using his innovative curved stick, Mikita led the league in scoring four times in the decade, tying Bobby Hull's single-season scoring mark in 1966–67 with 97 points (a mark broken two years later by former teammate Phil Esposito
and currently held by Wayne Gretzky
).
In his early years, Mikita was among the most penalized
players in the league, but he then decided to play a cleaner game and went on to win the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
for sportsmanlike conduct twice. Mikita's drastic change in behavior came after he returned home from a road trip. His wife told him that while their daughter, Meg, was watching the Black Hawks' last road game on television, she turned and said, "Mommy, why does Daddy spend so much time sitting down?" The camera had just shown Mikita in the penalty box again (from Mikita's autobiography "I Play to Win.")
During his playing career, in 1973, Mikita teamed up with Chicago businessman Irv Tiahnybik to form the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association (AHIHA), to bring together deaf and hard-of hearing hockey players from all over the country.
Mikita was reportedly the first player to ever use a curved blade on his stick and was one of the first practitioners of the slapshot
.
and Phil Esposito
. Mikita had played in the seventh most games of any player at the time. Mikita was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
in 1983, and into the Slovak Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. He currently serves as an ambassador of good will for the Blackhawks' organization. On May 24, 2011, Mikita was diagnosed with oral cancer and would be undergoing external beam radiation therapy.
Mikita made an appearance as himself in the film Wayne's World
, which featured an eponymous doughnut
shop. This was a spoof reference to the Canadian doughnut chain Tim Hortons
, also named after a retired hockey player. A restaurant named "Stan Mikita's" and closely resembling the movie's version opened in 1994 at the Virginia amusement park
Kings Dominion and at Paramount Carowinds in Charlotte. The Virginia restaurant was later converted to a Happy Days
theme.
Mikita provided the foreword to the children's book "My Man Stan" by Tim Wendel. Mikita is featured as a main character in the book.
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, generally regarded as the best centre of the 1960s. In 1961
1961 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1961 Stanley Cup Final was contested by the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago was making its first appearance since in the Final, and Detroit, their first appearance since . The Blackhawks would win the best-of-seven series four games to two to win their third Stanley Cup,...
, he won the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
with 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...
, with whom he played his entire career.
Early life
Mikita was born in SokolčeSokolce
Sokolce is a village and municipality in the Komárno District in the Nitra Region of south-west Slovakia.-Geography:The village lies at an altitude of 112 metres and covers an area of 19.422 km².It has a population of about 1,280 people.-Ethnicity:...
, Slovak Republic as Stanislav Guoth, but moved to St. Catharines, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, as a young boy to escape Communist-controlled Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
. He was adopted by his aunt and uncle who gave him their surname, Mikita.
Playing career
After three starring junior seasons with the St. Catharines TeepeesSt. Catharines Teepees
The St. Catharines Teepees were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1947 to 1962. The team was based in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
of the Ontario Hockey Association
Ontario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Other Ontario sanctioning bodies along with the...
, Mikita was promoted to the parent Chicago Blackhawks in 1959. In his second full year, in 1961, the Hawks won their third Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
. The young centre led the entire league in goals during the playoffs, scoring a total of six.
The following season was his breakout year. Stan Mikita became a star as centre of the famed "Scooter Line", (with right wing Ken Wharram and left wingers Ab McDonald
Ab McDonald
Alvin Brian "Ab" McDonald is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.McDonald began his National Hockey League career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1958 and retired in 1972. He also played for the Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the St. Louis Blues...
and Doug Mohns
Doug Mohns
Douglas Allen "Diesel" Mohns is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 22 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1953–54 until 1974–75. Mohns twice won the most coveted prize in junior hockey, the Memorial Cup...
). He became the most-feared centre of the Sixties. With superstar teammate Bobby Hull
Bobby Hull
Robert Marvin "Bobby" Hull, OC is a former Canadian ice hockey player. He is regarded as one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time and perhaps the greatest left winger to ever play the game. Hull was famous for his blonde hair, blinding skating speed, and having the hardest shot, earning...
, the Black Hawks had the most powerful offense of the decade, generally leading the league in goals scored. Combining skilled defense and a reputation as one of the game's best faceoff men using his innovative curved stick, Mikita led the league in scoring four times in the decade, tying Bobby Hull's single-season scoring mark in 1966–67 with 97 points (a mark broken two years later by former teammate Phil Esposito
Phil Esposito
Philip Anthony Esposito, OC is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and is considered to be one of the best to have...
and currently held by Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
).
In his early years, Mikita was among the most penalized
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,...
players in the league, but he then decided to play a cleaner game and went on to win 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"...
for sportsmanlike conduct twice. Mikita's drastic change in behavior came after he returned home from a road trip. His wife told him that while their daughter, Meg, was watching the Black Hawks' last road game on television, she turned and said, "Mommy, why does Daddy spend so much time sitting down?" The camera had just shown Mikita in the penalty box again (from Mikita's autobiography "I Play to Win.")
During his playing career, in 1973, Mikita teamed up with Chicago businessman Irv Tiahnybik to form the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association (AHIHA), to bring together deaf and hard-of hearing hockey players from all over the country.
Mikita was reportedly the first player to ever use a curved blade on his stick and was one of the first practitioners of the slapshot
Slapshot
A slapshot in ice hockey is the hardest shot. It has four stages which are executed in one fluid motion:# The player winds up his hockey stick by raising it behind his body, sometimes raising the blade to shoulder height or higher.# Next the player violently "slaps" the ice slightly behind the...
.
Retirement
His latter years marred by chronic back injuries, Mikita finally retired during the 1979–80 season. Upon his retirement, he had the third-highest career scoring point total of any NHL player, after Gordie HoweGordie Howe
Gordon "Gordie" Howe, OC is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League , and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association . Howe is often referred to as Mr...
and Phil Esposito
Phil Esposito
Philip Anthony Esposito, OC is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and is considered to be one of the best to have...
. Mikita had played in the seventh most games of any player at the time. Mikita was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
in 1983, and into the Slovak Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. He currently serves as an ambassador of good will for the Blackhawks' organization. On May 24, 2011, Mikita was diagnosed with oral cancer and would be undergoing external beam radiation therapy.
Mikita made an appearance as himself in the film Wayne's World
Wayne's World (film)
Wayne's World is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Penelope Spheeris and starring Mike Myers in his film debut as Wayne Campbell and Dana Carvey as Garth Algar, hosts of the Aurora, Illinois-based Public-access television cable TV show Wayne's World...
, which featured an eponymous doughnut
Doughnut
A doughnut or donut is a fried dough food and is popular in many countries and prepared in various forms as a sweet snack that can be homemade or purchased in bakeries, supermarkets, food stalls, and franchised specialty outlets...
shop. This was a spoof reference to the Canadian doughnut chain Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons Inc. is a Canadian fast casual restaurant known for its coffee and doughnuts. It is also Canada's largest fast food service with over 3000 stores nationwide. It was founded in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario, by Canadian hockey player Tim Horton and Jim Charade, after an initial venture in...
, also named after a retired hockey player. A restaurant named "Stan Mikita's" and closely resembling the movie's version opened in 1994 at the Virginia amusement park
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
Kings Dominion and at Paramount Carowinds in Charlotte. The Virginia restaurant was later converted to a Happy Days
Happy Days
Happy Days is an American television sitcom that originally aired from January 15, 1974, to September 24, 1984, on ABC. Created by Garry Marshall, the series presents an idealized vision of life in mid-1950s to mid-1960s America....
theme.
Mikita provided the foreword to the children's book "My Man Stan" by Tim Wendel. Mikita is featured as a main character in the book.
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,... |
PP | SH | GW | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | PP | SH | GW | ||
| 1956–57 | St. Catharines Teepees St. Catharines Teepees The St. Catharines Teepees were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1947 to 1962. The team was based in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.-History:... |
OHA-Jr. Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... |
52 | 16 | 31 | 47 | — | 129 | — | — | — | 14 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 44 | — | — | — | ||
| 1957–58 | St. Catharines Teepees | OHA-Jr. | 52 | 31 | 47 | 78 | — | 146 | — | — | — | 8 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 46 | — | — | — | ||
| 1958–59 | St. Catharines Teepees | OHA-Jr. | 45 | 38 | 59 | 97 | — | 197 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1958–59 | 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... |
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... |
3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1959–60 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 67 | 8 | 18 | 26 | — | 119 | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | ||
| 1960–61 | Chicago Blackhawks* | NHL | 66 | 19 | 34 | 53 | — | 100 | — | — | — | 12 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 21 | — | — | — | ||
| 1961–62 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 70 | 25 | 52 | 77 | — | 97 | — | — | — | 12 | 6 | 15 | 21 | 19 | — | — | — | ||
| 1962–63 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 65 | 31 | 45 | 76 | — | 69 | — | — | — | 6 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | ||
| 1963–64 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 70 | 39 | 50 | 89 | — | 146 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 8 | — | — | — | ||
| 1964–65 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 70 | 28 | 59 | 87 | — | 154 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 53 | — | — | — | ||
| 1965–66 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 68 | 30 | 48 | 78 | — | 58 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | ||
| 1966–67 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 70 | 35 | 62 | 97 | — | 12 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | ||
| 1967–68 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 72 | 40 | 47 | 87 | -3 | 14 | 13 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1968–69 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 74 | 30 | 67 | 97 | +17 | 52 | 7 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1969–70 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 76 | 39 | 47 | 86 | +29 | 50 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 1970–71 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 74 | 24 | 48 | 72 | +21 | 85 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 18 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 1971–72 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 74 | 26 | 39 | 65 | +16 | 46 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1972–73 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 57 | 27 | 56 | 83 | +31 | 32 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 15 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1973–74 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 76 | 30 | 50 | 80 | +24 | 46 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 1974–75 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 79 | 36 | 50 | 86 | +14 | 48 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 1975–76 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 48 | 16 | 41 | 57 | -4 | 37 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1976–77 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 57 | 19 | 30 | 49 | -9 | 20 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1977–78 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 76 | 18 | 41 | 59 | +18 | 35 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1978–79 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 65 | 19 | 36 | 55 | +3 | 34 | 4 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1979–80 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 17 | 2 | 5 | 7 | +2 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| OHA-Jr. totals | 149 | 85 | 137 | 222 | — | 472 | — | — | — | 22 | 12 | 14 | 26 | 90 | — | — | — | ||||
| NHL totals | 1394 | 541 | 926 | 1467 | +159 | 1270 | 127 | 12 | 67 | 155 | 59 | 91 | 150 | 169 | 12 | 0 | 6 | ||||
- Stanley Cup Champion
Awards and accomplishments
- Ranked 14th all-time in points, 16th in assists, 29th in goals, and 32nd in games played (at end of 2009–10 NHL season2009–10 NHL seasonThe 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...
). - Won the Hart Memorial TrophyHart Memorial TrophyThe Hart Memorial Trophy, originally known as the Hart Trophy, the "oldest and most prestigious individual award in hockey", is awarded annually to the "player adjudged most valuable to his team" in the National Hockey League . The Hart Memorial Trophy has been awarded 86 times to 53 different...
as most valuable player in 1967 and 1968. - Won the Art Ross TrophyArt Ross TrophyThe Art Ross Trophy is awarded to the National Hockey League player who leads the league in scoring points at the end of the regular season. It was presented to the NHL by former player, general manager, and head coach Art Ross. The trophy has been awarded 61 times to 25 players since its inception...
as leading scorer in 1964, 1965, 1967 and 1968. - Won 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 1967 and 1968. - Named to the NHL's First All-Star Team in 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967 and 1968.
- Named to the NHL's Second All-Star Team in 1965 and 1970.
- Played in NHL All-Star Game in 1964, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975.
- Won the Lester Patrick TrophyLester Patrick TrophyThe Lester Patrick Trophy has been presented by the National Hockey League and USA Hockey since 1966 to honor a recipient's contribution to ice hockey in the United States. It is considered a non-NHL trophy because it may be awarded to players, coaches, officials, and other personnel outside the NHL...
in 1976. - The only player in NHL history to win the Hart, Art Ross, and Lady Byng trophies in the same season, doing so in consecutive seasons, in 1966–67 and 1967–68.
- Only Alex DelvecchioAlex DelvecchioAlexander Peter "Fats" Delvecchio is a former ice hockey player and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.After playing a single junior league season for the Oshawa Generals of the OHA Delvecchio joined the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League for the 1952 season, and helped the team to...
and Steve YzermanSteve YzermanStephen Gregory "Steve" Yzerman is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and current general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League...
had a longer career playing for only a single team. - Was named to Team Canada for the 1972 Summit Series, but only played two games due to injuries.
- Inducted into the Slovak Hockey Hall of FameSlovak Hockey Hall of FameThe Slovak Hockey Hall of Fame honors the contributions that individuals have made to the sport of hockey in Slovakia. It opened on November 30, 2002, that the team of Slovak national team won the IIHF World Championships gold medal...
in 2002. - In 1998, he was ranked number 17 on The Hockey NewsThe Hockey NewsThe Hockey News, commonly abbreviated to THN, is a North American ice hockey magazine published by Transcontinental. The Hockey News was founded in 1947 by Ken McKenzie and Bill Côté, and has since been the most recognized hockey publication in North America...
list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players, making him the highest-ranked player born outside of Canada, although he was trained in Canada. - Most NHL games played by a European-born ice hockey forward (1,394).
- The Blackhawks retired #21 retired on October 19, 1980.
- The ice rink in RuzomberokRužomberokRužomberok is a town in northern Slovakia, in the historical Liptov region. It has a population of around 30,000-Geography:...
, SlovakiaSlovakiaThe 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...
is named after him.
See also
- List of NHL statistical leaders
- List of NHL players with 1000 points
- List of NHL players with 500 goals
- List of NHL players with 1000 games played