Roman Hamrlík Explained

Roman Hamrlík
Birth Date:12 April 1974
Birth Place:Gottwaldov, Czechoslovakia
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:223
Position:Defence
Shoots:Left
Played For:ZPS Zlín
Tampa Bay Lightning
Edmonton Oilers
New York Islanders
Calgary Flames
Montreal Canadiens
Washington Capitals
New York Rangers
Ntl Team:CZE
Draft:1st overall
Draft Year:1992
Draft Team:Tampa Bay Lightning
Career Start:1990
Career End:2013

Roman Hamrlík (born April 12, 1974) is a Czech former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was originally selected first overall in the 1992 NHL entry draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning, the first-ever selection by the expansion franchise, beginning his career with the team and later playing for the Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers. In total, he played 1,395 games during his NHL career and participated in three NHL All-Star Games, in 1996, 1999, and 2003.

Hamrlík also represented the Czech Republic on numerous occasions at the international level, including at the 1998 Winter Olympics, where he was part of the gold medal-winning Czech team. He also played in the 2002 Winter Olympics, as well as two Ice Hockey World Championships, in 1994 and 2004, and two World Cup of Hockey tournaments, in 1996 and 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

Playing career

Drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1992 NHL entry draft from ZPS Zlín, Hamrlík played as a defenceman who typically took on an offensive role for his team, especially on the powerplay. His offensive prowess earned him the role of the "powerplay quarterback," as he often led the offense in a powerplay. After his draft, Hamrlík made the immediate leap to North America to play for the Lightning in the 1992–93 season. In 1995–96, he posted career-highs in goals (16), assists (49) and points (65). After five-and-a-half seasons with the organization, Hamrlík was traded to the Edmonton Oilers midway through the 1997–98 season.[1]

Hamrlík was traded to the New York Islanders on June 24, 2000, in exchange for Eric Brewer, Josh Green, and a 2000 second-round pick.[2] [3] During the 2000–01 season, he would match his career-high in goals with 16.

Hamrlík signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Calgary Flames on August 14, 2005, to a two-year, $7 million contract.[4] In 2006–07, he posted a career-high in plus-minus with +22. On July 2, 2007, again as a free agent, Hamrlík signed a four-year, $22 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens.[5]

After four productive seasons with Montreal, Hamrlík signed as a free agent on a two-year, $7 million contract with the Washington Capitals on July 1, 2011.[6] In his second season with Washington during the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season, Hamrlik was limited to just four games as a reserve defenceman before he was ultimately placed on waivers by the team on March 5, 2013.[7] He was claimed by the New York Rangers on March 6, 2013.[8]

Hamrlík announced his retirement from professional ice hockey on October 21, 2013.[9] [10]

Hamrlík was inducted into the Czech Ice Hockey Hall of Fame on January 22, 2019.[11]

Personal life

Hamrlík has an older brother, Martin Hamrlík, who was drafted by the Hartford Whalers in 1991, but never played in the NHL, and who spent the majority of his playing career in Czech Republic before retiring in 2013.[12]

Hamrlík and his wife Cynthia have two children.[13]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGP PIMGP G A Pts PIM
1990–91AC ZPS ZlínCSSR15 2 2 4 18
1991–92AC ZPS ZlínCSSR34 5 5 10 50
1992–93Atlanta KnightsIHL2 1 1 2 2
1992–93Tampa Bay LightningNHL67 6 15 21 71
1993–94Tampa Bay LightningNHL64 3 18 21 135
1994–95AC ZPS ZlínCZE2 1 0 1 10
1994–95Tampa Bay LightningNHL48 12 11 23 86
1995–96Tampa Bay LightningNHL82 16 49 65 1035 0 1 1 4
1996–97Tampa Bay LightningNHL79 12 28 40 57
1997–98Tampa Bay LightningNHL37 3 12 15 22
1997–98Edmonton OilersNHL41 6 20 26 4812 0 6 6 12
1998–99Edmonton OilersNHL75 8 24 32 703 0 0 0 2
1999–2000HC Barum Continental ZlínCZE6 0 3 3 4
1999–2000Edmonton OilersNHL80 8 37 45 685 0 1 1 4
2000–01New York IslandersNHL76 16 30 46 92
2001–02New York IslandersNHL70 11 26 37 787 1 6 7 6
2002–03New York IslandersNHL73 9 32 41 875 0 2 2 2
2003–04New York IslandersNHL81 7 22 29 685 0 1 1 2
2004–05HC Hamé ZlínCZE45 2 14 16 7017 1 3 4 24
2005–06Calgary FlamesNHL51 7 19 26 567 0 2 2 2
2006–07Calgary FlamesNHL75 7 31 38 886 0 1 1 8
2007–08Montreal CanadiensNHL77 5 21 26 3812 1 2 3 8
2008–09Montreal CanadiensNHL81 6 27 33 624 0 0 0 2
2009–10Montreal CanadiensNHL75 6 20 26 5619 0 9 9 15
2010–11Montreal CanadiensNHL79 5 29 34 817 0 3 3 6
2011–12Washington CapitalsNHL68 2 11 13 3414 1 3 4 12
2012–13Washington CapitalsNHL4 0 1 1 2
2012–13New York RangersNHL12 0 0 0 62 0 1 1 2
NHL totals1,395 155 483 638 1,408113 3 38 41 87

International

YearTeamEvent GP G A Pts PIM
1991CzechoslovakiaEJC5 0 3 3 2
1992CzechoslovakiaEJC6 1 1 2 8
1992CzechoslovakiaWJC7 3 0 3 8
1994Czech RepublicWC1 0 0 0 2
1996Czech RepublicWCH3 0 0 0 4
1998Czech RepublicOG6 1 0 1 2
2002Czech RepublicOG4 0 1 1 2
2004Czech RepublicWCH4 0 2 2 0
2004Czech RepublicWC7 0 0 0 0
Junior totals18 4 4 8 18
Senior totals25 1 3 4 10

Awards

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Buckley . Tim . Hamrlik to Oilers in a 5-player deal . Tampa Bay Times . November 20, 2024 . December 31, 1997.
  2. Web site: Aksenchuk . Aleena . On this day in 1997, the Oilers acquire Roman Hamrlik from the Lightning . OilersNation . November 20, 2024 . December 31, 2023.
  3. Web site: Kellner . Jenny . HOCKEY: ISLANDERS; Excitement as Hamrlik Signs . The New York Times . November 20, 2024 . September 8, 2000.
  4. Web site: Hamrlik signs with Calgary Flames . CBC.ca . November 20, 2024 . August 14, 2005.
  5. Web site: Canadiens' newly-signed defenceman Roman Hamrlik loves to play in Canada . The Hockey News . November 20, 2024 . July 2, 2007.
  6. Web site: Whyno . Stephen . Caps ink winger Joel Ward, defenseman Roman Hamrlik . The Washington Times . November 20, 2024 . July 1, 2011.
  7. News: Capitals Waive Roman Hamrlik. The Washington Post. 5 March 2013.
  8. Web site: Rangers claim Roman Hamrlik. ESPN . March 6, 2013. March 6, 2013.
  9. Web site: NHL veteran Hamrlik retires after 20 seasons . NHL.com . November 20, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131021223812/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=687814 . October 21, 2013 . October 21, 2013.
  10. Web site: Roman Hamrlik retires after 20-year NHL career . NHLPA.com . November 20, 2024 . October 21, 2013.
  11. Web site: V hokejové Síni slávy jsou nově Hamrlík, Ručinský, Válek a Uher . idnes.cz . November 20, 2024 . cs-CZ . January 22, 2019.
  12. Web site: Vacek . Jan . Takhle by to mělo vypadat, liboval si po výhře v Plzni Martin Hamrlík. Na konec kariéry už se těší . Hokej.cz . November 20, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130415163153/http://www.hokej.cz/cz/tipsport-extraliga/takhle-by-to-melo-vypadat-liboval-si-po-vyhre-v-plzni-martin-hamrlik-na-konec-kariery-uz-se-tesi/ . April 15, 2013 . cs-CZ . April 14, 2013.
  13. Web site: Living life to the fullest . NHL.com . August 15, 2018 . June 17, 2016.