Bobby Holík
Holík with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2005
Born (1971-01-01) January 1, 1971
Jihlava, Czechoslovakia
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 240 lb (109 kg; 17 st 2 lb)
Position Center
Shot Right
Played for Dukla Jihlava
Hartford Whalers
New Jersey Devils
New York Rangers
Atlanta Thrashers
National team  Czechoslovakia and
 Czech Republic
NHL Draft 10th overall, 1989
Hartford Whalers
Playing career 1987–2009
Medal record
Representing  Czechoslovakia
ice hockey
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place1990 Switzerland
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal – third place1989 United States
Bronze medal – third place1990 Finland
European Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place1988 Czechoslovakia
Silver medal – second place1989 Soviet Union

Robert Holík (born January 1, 1971) is a Czech-American former professional ice hockey center who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Holík is the son of Jaroslav Holík, a Czechoslovak ice hockey world champion in 1972 and Czech national team head coach who led the under-20 team to world titles in 2000 and 2001. Holík is the current head coach of the Israel men's national ice hockey team.

Playing career

Holík began his NHL career playing for the Hartford Whalers in 1990 after being selected tenth overall by them in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. After two seasons with the Whalers, he was traded to the New Jersey Devils where he played for ten seasons, featuring as a member of the "Crash Line" alongside Mike Peluso and Randy McKay, and winning two Stanley Cup championships, in 1995 and 2000.[1] Prior to the 2002–03 season, as a free agent, Holík signed a five-year, $45 million contract with the New York Rangers.[2]

In 2005, following the 2004–05 NHL lockout, the Rangers bought out the remainder of Holík's contract, after which he signed with the Atlanta Thrashers.[3] On October 2, 2007, he was named captain of the Thrashers for the 2007–08 season.

On July 1, 2008, as a free agent, Holík signed a one-year contract with the New Jersey Devils for the 2008–09 season, returning to the team he played ten seasons with.[4]

On May 23, 2009, following the conclusion of the 2008–09 season, Holík announced his retirement from the NHL. He was 38 when he retired and cited a focus to be with his family.[5][6] Since 2017, Holík has run a hockey school in Israel and coached their U-18 and U-20 programs.[7]

Personal life

Holík became an American citizen in a ceremony in Newark, New Jersey, on November 4, 1996. He is married with a daughter, Hannah Marie Holík, born in 1997, and splits his time between Wyoming and Florida.[8]

Holík's nephew, David Musil, was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers.

Holík is an avid rifle, pistol and shotgun enthusiast. After being introduced to firearms manufacturer CZ-USA's president Alice Poluchová[9] by shooting instructor Shepard Humphries,[10] Holík became CZ-USA's celebrity representative.[11][12] [13]

Awards and achievements

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
1987–88 ASD Dukla Jihlava CSSR 317111816 —————
1988–89 ASD Dukla Jihlava CSSR 247101732 12358—
1989–90 ASD Dukla Jihlava CSSR 42152641— —————
1990–91 Hartford Whalers NHL 78212243113 60007
1991–92 Hartford Whalers NHL 7621244544 70116
1992–93 New Jersey Devils NHL 6120193976 51126
1992–93 Utica Devils AHL 10002 —————
1993–94 New Jersey Devils NHL 7013203372 200336
1994–95 New Jersey Devils NHL 4810102018 2044822
1995–96 New Jersey Devils NHL 6313173058 —————
1996–97 New Jersey Devils NHL 8223396254 102354
1997–98 New Jersey Devils NHL 82293665100 50008
1998–99 New Jersey Devils NHL 78273764119 70776
1999–2000 New Jersey Devils NHL 79232346106 23371014
2000–01 New Jersey Devils NHL 8015355097 256101637
2001–02 New Jersey Devils NHL 8125295497 64152
2002–03 New York Rangers NHL 6416193552 —————
2003–04 New York Rangers NHL 8225315696 —————
2005–06 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 6415183379 —————
2006–07 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 8211182986 40110
2007–08 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 8215193490 —————
2008–09 New Jersey Devils NHL 6245966 30112
CSSR totals 9729477648 12358—
NHL totals 1,3143264217471,421 141203959120

International

Year Team Event   GP G A Pts PIM
1988 Czechoslovakia EJC 6 5 2 7 2
1989 Czechoslovakia WJC 7 5 3 8 2
1989 Czechoslovakia EJC 6 3 11 14 2
1990 Czechoslovakia WJC 7 6 5 11 12
1990 Czechoslovakia WC 101560
1991 Czechoslovakia WC 1033618
1996 Czech Republic WCH 3 0 0 0 0
Junior totals 26 19 21 40 18
Senior totals 23 4 8 12 18

See also

References

  1. ↑ Yannis, Alex (29 April 1999). "HOCKEY; the Devils' Crash Line is Back in Business with a Bit of Help from Brylin". The New York Times.
  2. ↑ "USATODAY.com - Rangers sign Bobby Holik from rival Devils".
  3. ↑ "Next step? Thrashers sign Bobby Holik to $12.75 million deal".
  4. ↑ Everson, Mark (2008-07-01). "Devils ink Holík, Rolston". nypost.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  5. ↑ Everson, Mark (2009-05-23). "Holík set to retire, focus on family". nypost.com. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  6. ↑ "Bobby Holik leaves NHL on his own terms". sportingnews.com. 2009-05-23. Archived from the original on 2012-09-11. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
  7. ↑ Brooks, Larry (January 13, 2024). "NHL should not stay silent on IIHF decision to ban Israel over safety concerns". New York Post. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  8. ↑ Chere, Rich (May 23, 2009). "New Jersey Devils center Bobby Holik decides to retire after 18 seasons". The Star-Ledger.
  9. ↑ "CZ-USA president Alice Poluchova".
  10. ↑ "Shepard Humphries".
  11. ↑ "Gun ranges in the great state of Wyoming". 11 August 2012.
  12. ↑ http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/article.php?art_id=7893%5B%5D
  13. ↑ "CZ-USA -> Bobby Holik". Archived from the original on 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
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