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Zbynek Michalek
ZMichalek

With the Penguins in 2012.
Born December 23, 1982 (1982-12-23) (age 41)
Jindřichův Hradec, Czechoslovakia
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams
Phoenix Coyotes
Minnesota Wild
Pittsburgh Penguins
National team Flag of the Czech Republic Czech Republic
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2002–present

Zbynek Michalek (born on December 23, 1982) is a Czech professional ice hockey player, currently a member of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Zbynek has also played for the Minnesota Wild and Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL. He is the older brother of Ottawa Senators winger Milan Michalek.

Playing Career

Zbynek played two seasons of junior ice hockey for Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL. He was not drafted in the NHL Entry Draft, but he began playing professional hockey in 2002 with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League, winning a Calder Cup championship with the Aeros in 2003.

Zybnek made his NHL debut during the 2003–04 season with the Minnesota Wild, the Aeros NHL affiliate. In 2005, Zybnek was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for Erik Westrum and Dustin Wood. He played five seasons for Phoenix, leading the league in blocked shots during the 2008–09 season.

Zbynek's excellent play continued into 2010 as he helped the Coyotes earn a playoff berth for the first time since 2002, however he was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2010. In anticipation, Zybnek was described as "The Defenseman Every Team Wants" by AOL Fanhouse due to his strong defensive skills, durability and shot-blocking.

On July 1, 2010, Zybnek signed a 5 year, $20 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. As of Draft Day 2012, he was traded back to the Phoenix Coyotes in exhange for Harrison Ruopp, goaltender Marc Cheverie and a 2012 third-round draft pick (81st overall).

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2000–01 Shawinigan Cataractes QMJHL 69 10 29 39 52 3 0 0 0 0
2001–02 Shawinigan Cataractes QMJHL 68 16 35 51 54 10 8 7 15 10
2002–03 Houston Aeros AHL 62 4 10 14 26 23 1 1 2 6
2003–04 Houston Aeros AHL 55 5 16 21 32 2 1 0 1 0
2003–04 Minnesota Wild NHL 22 1 1 2 4
2004–05 Houston Aeros AHL 76 7 17 24 48 5 1 2 3 4
2005–06 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 82 9 15 24 62
2006–07 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 82 4 24 28 34
2007–08 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 75 4 13 17 34
2008–09 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 82 6 21 27 28
2009–10 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 72 3 14 17 30 7 0 2 2 2
2010–11 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 73 5 14 19 30 7 0 1 1 0
2011–12 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 62 2 11 13 24 6 0 1 1 2
2012–13 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 34 0 2 2 14
NHL totals 584 34 115 149 260 20 0 4 4 2

International Statistics

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2006 Czech Republic WC Template:Sica 9 3 0 3 6
2007 Czech Republic WC 7th 7 0 1 1 4
2008 Czech Republic WC 5th 7 0 0 0 6
2010 Czech Republic OG 7th 5 0 0 0 2
2011 Czech Republic WC Template:Brca 8 0 1 1 6
Senior int'l totals 36 3 2 5 24

International Play

Medal record
Competitor for Czech Republic Czech Republic
World Championships
Silver 2006 Riga Ice hockey
Bronze 2011 Bratislava Ice hockey

Zybnek played on the 2010 Czech Republic Olympic Hockey Team along with his brother Milan. He was also selected to represent the Czech Republic at the 2011 IIHF World Championship where he won bronze alongside his brother.

Personal Life

Zbynek is married to Helena (born in 1979 in Bosnia and Herzegovina). They have two children: a son named Andreas (born on June 23, 2009) and a daughter named Ella (born on April 30, 2012). His younger brother Milan plays for the Ottawa Senators.

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