Washington
Washington Capitals Czech Out
With the departure of goaltender Vitek Vanecek through commerce to New Jersey and the departure of defenseman Michal Kempny in free company, the present Washington Capitals crew is absent any gamers born in Czechia for the primary time in a very long time.
Previous 5 Seasons
Ever since Jakub Vrana earned a daily position for the Washington Capitals in the beginning of the 2017-18 season, there was a minimum of one participant from Czechia on the Washington Capitals roster. Since that season, there have been typically two or extra Czech gamers on the Roster.
Vrana was on the Capitals’ roster all through the 2017-18 season, apart from “paper” transfers to their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears. That season, the Capitals acquired two Czech defensemen on the buying and selling deadline, Michal Kempny, and Jakub Jerabek, which upped the Czech whole to 3 gamers. All three gamers have been a part of the crew that received the Stanley Cup, though Jerabek performed sparingly within the playoffs.
In the course of the 2018-19 season, each Kempny and Vrana remained with the crew. That season, additionally they claimed Dmitrij Jaskin off waivers who remained with the crew for your entire season.
Jaskin was born in Russia, however moved to Czechia throughout infancy. He competes for Czechia, internationally, but in addition identifies as Russian and socializes with Russians greater than with Czechs.
For the 2019-20 season, the Capitals added one other Czech defenseman in a commerce, Radko Gudas. For the late beginning, shorter-than-normal 2020-21 season, the Capitals began with two Czechs on the roster, Vrana and goaltender Vitek Vanecek who had lastly earned a full-time position with the crew.
Kempny spent the season on injured reserve as he injured his leg whereas coaching within the low season. Vrana himself was traded to the Detroit Pink Wings on the commerce deadline.
Photograph: Sportsnet
Final season, 2021-22, featured two Czech gamers, Vitek Vanecek and Michal Kempny though the latter spent a lot of the season with the Hershey Bears. Thus, the Caps had featured a minimum of one Czech on their roster for the final 5 seasons.
Years Since 2014 Draft
The 2014 NHL Draft was notable for the Caps in that they drafted Czechs in each of the primary two rounds, choosing winger Jakub Vrana with decide #13 total and goaltender Vitek Vanecek with decide #39.
Throughout 2016-17, Vrana was known as up from Hershey a number of occasions and performed in a number of video games for the Capitals though he didn’t earn a full-time position but. That very same season, Vanecek additionally performed in Hershey. Whereas there, they shared a particular bond.
Different Capitals Czechs After Lockout of 2004-05
In the course of the interval after the lockout of 2004-05 by the 2013-14 season, a number of Czech gamers dressed for the Capitals. Probably the most outstanding Czech ahead throughout that time-frame was Tomas Fleischmann, who performed for the Capitals from 2005-06 by 2010-11.
There was additionally Jakub Klepis, Jiri Novotny, and Peter Sikora, who appeared within the years instantly after the lockout however earlier than the Capitals have been a playoff crew, with none of them incomes a daily position for the Capitals.
Photograph: NHLPA
In the course of the “Younger Weapons” period, there was Michal Neuvirth in aim who made his debut through the 2007-08 season, turning into a full-time NHL participant in 2010-11. He remained with the crew by the commerce deadline of 2012-13.
Fellow Czech goalie, Tomas Vokoun, was with the crew for the 2011-12 season. Defenseman, Roman Hamrlik, was with the crew for the 2011-12 season till early within the 2011-13 season when he was flipped to the New York Rangers.
On the commerce deadline of the 2012-13 season, the Capitals acquired Martin Erat within the ill-fated deal that despatched Filip Forsberg to Nashville. In addition they had defenseman Tomas Kundratek briefly, who performed a number of video games through the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.
Czechs Earlier than Lockout of 2004-05
The primary Czech participant ever to hitch the Capitals was Milan Novy. The Capitals drafted him within the third spherical with the 58th decide total. He had a commendable rookie season, with 18 targets and 30 assists, however had problem adjusting to North American tradition and elegance of play. Therefore, he didn’t return to Washington for the next season.
The second Czech to hitch the crew was Michal Pivonka who, to date, has been the most efficient Czech participant in franchise historical past, main in Video games performed, Objectives, Assists, and Factors. He performed on the Capitals from 1986-87 by 1998-99. He was a part of the Capitals crew that reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 1997-98 and likewise a part of the crew that reached the Jap Convention Finals in 1989-90.
Photograph: NHL
One other Czech who was a part of the Stanley Cup Finalist crew of 1997-98 was Jaroslav “Yogi” Svejkovsky, though he performed in only one playoff sport that postseason. His NHL profession was derailed by quite a few accidents.
Jan Bulis got here as much as the Caps through the 1997-98 season and performed for the Caps by the 2000-01 season. He didn’t develop into a full-time NHL participant till he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens throughout his final 12 months with the crew.
After the “flip of the century”, the Caps acquired Jaromir Jagr, a star from the Pittsburgh Penguins, when the Penguins have been having monetary problem. He performed with the Caps from 2001-02 by 2003-04 and was traded as a part of the Caps’ hearth sale. Whereas he produced almost a degree a sport throughout his time with the Capitals, it was not on the similar degree as his manufacturing with the Penguins had been.
Robert Lang was one other former Penguin the Capitals had acquired earlier than the 2002-03 season. He was additionally traded as a part of the fireplace sale in 2003-24.
Different Czechs on the Capitals earlier than the lockout have been Frantisek Kucera, Jakub Cutta, and Patrik Augusta.
General
The Capitals have had 25 gamers from the Czechia in franchise historical past, with 22 skaters and three goalies. Of the 25 Czech gamers, simply two have been born after Czechoslovakia break up into two separate nations. These two gamers have been Jakub Vrana and Vitek Vanecek, who have been each born in 1995.
The Czechs enjoying essentially the most video games for the Capitals have been Michal Pivonka (825), Jakub Vrana (284), Tomas Fleischmann (281), Jaromir Jagr (190), and Jan Bulis (181). Michal Kempny is the Czech chief in profession video games for a defenseman.
The very best variety of targets for Czechs in Capitals historical past have been Pivonka (181), Jagr (83), Vrana (76), Fleischmann (60), and Lang (51).
The very best variety of assists for Czechs in Capitals historical past have been Pivonka (418), Jagr (118), Lang (92), Vrana (81), Fleischmann (78), and Bulis (62).
Probably the most factors for Czechs in franchise historical past have been Pivonka (599), Jagr (201), Vrana (157), Lang (143), and Fleischmann (138).
The Czech goalie with essentially the most appearances is Michal Neuvirth with 143. Vitek Vanecek appeared in 79 video games. Tomas Vokoun appeared in 48 video games. Neuvirth has essentially the most wins with 59. Vanecek has received 41. Vokoun had received 25.
Statistics have been obtained from Quanthockey, Hockey Reference, Stat Head, and NHL.com
By Diane Doyle
Additional Studying
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