Tomáš Kopecký (Slovak pronunciation: [ˈtɔmaːʂ ˈkɔpetskiː]; born 5 February 1982) is a Slovak former professional ice hockey forward. He played in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers.
| Tomáš Kopecký | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Kopecký pictured in June 2008 during the Detroit Red Wings championship celebration | |||
| Born |
5 February 1982 Ilava, Czechoslovakia | ||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | ||
| Weight | 209 lb (95 kg; 14 st 13 lb) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for |
HK Dukla Trenčín Detroit Red Wings Chicago Blackhawks Florida Panthers HC Oceláři Třinec HC Slovan Bratislava | ||
| National team |
 Slovakia | ||
| NHL draft |
38th overall, 2000 Detroit Red Wings | ||
| Playing career | 2001–2017 | ||
He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, having won with both the Red Wings in 2008 and the Blackhawks in 2010.
Playing career
editDetroit Red Wings (2005–2009)
editAfter being drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Kopecký played two seasons of junior hockey with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He turned professional with the American Hockey League (AHL), initially with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks before being assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Kopecký played four seasons with the Griffins before making his NHL debut with the Red Wings towards the end of 2005–06 on 28 February 2006 against the San Jose Sharks. This would be his only game played in the season for the Red Wings.
On 14 December 2006, in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Kopecký was injured a minute into the third period of the Red Wings' 3–2 victory. Kopecký lost his footing and hit the boards as he approached the Chicago blue line and Blackhawks defenseman Jim Vandermeer then fell on top of him. Kopecký was motionless on the ice for a few minutes before being helped to the dressing room by members of the Detroit training staff. He had surgery the next day to repair a broken clavicle. As a result of this injury, he was limited to just 26 games in the 2006–07 season. Kopecký had previously worn the number 28 with Detroit, but switched to 82 after the Red Wings acquired free agent defenseman Brian Rafalski.
On 3 April 2008, 77 games into the 2007–08 season, Kopecký tore his ACL during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets resulting in him missing the last five games of the season and all of the post-season. This injury was repaired during surgery on 22 April.[1] On 4 June 2008, he won the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings after the team defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games in the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals.
After Kopecký recorded six goals and 13 assists for 19 points in 79 games in the 2008–09 season, he and the Red Wings would go on to make a second consecutive appearance in Stanley Cup Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins where they would be defeated in seven games, one win short from a second consecutive Stanley Cup championship.[2] He would play in eight playoff games in the 2009 playoffs (none in the Stanley Cup Finals) where he would be goalless and record one assist for one point.
Chicago Blackhawks (2009–2011)
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On 1 July 2009, Kopecký signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks worth $1.2 million per season.[3] He played in 74 games for the Blackhawks in the 2009–10 season, posting 21 points (10 goals, 21 assists), 28 penalties-in-minutes (PIM), two game-winning goals and a shooting percentage of 10.5% while playing most of the season on the teams fourth line. Into the 2010 playoffs, Kopecký continued to be a regular starter on Chicago's third or fourth forward lines. He scored a crucial goal to put Chicago up by two in the Western Semifinals against the Vancouver Canucks, but his most crucial would be in his first game back in the lineup after being a healthy scratch for all four games of the sweep of the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference Finals. Replacing injured forward Andrew Ladd, Kopecký netted the 6–5 game-winning goal in the Game 1 victory of the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals against the Philadelphia Flyers. Ladd returned the next game, but Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville kept Kopecký in the lineup to play every game of the six-game series against the Flyers as this series would be Kopecký's third consecutive Stanley Cup Finals with two different teams. He finished the playoffs with solid statistics; in 17 games, he tallied six points (four goals, two assists), 8 PIM, one game-winning goal and a shooting percentage of 14.3%. On 9 June 2010, at the age of 28, he won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks and hoisted the Cup for the second time in his life.
Kopecký entered the 2010–11 season in the last year of his contract with the newly-defending champion Blackhawks and ended the campaign with a breakout season. He opened the first game of the year on 7 October 2010 against the Colorado Avalanche on the team's first line with Jonathan Toews and Marián Hossa, putting in over twice the amount of time on the ice that he had averaged the season before until getting moved to the second line with Hossa and Patrick Sharp then eventually the fourth line with Viktor Stålberg and Ryan Johnson as the season went on. On 30 November, Kopecký recorded his first career four-point game in a 7–5 win over the St. Louis Blues having recorded the first goal of the game against Blues' goaltender and former Red Wings teammate Ty Conklin and recording assists on goals by Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp, respectively.[4] On 26 December, in a 4–1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets, in his 36th game of the year, Kopecký tallied his 21st point of the season with a goal on Blue Jackets goaltender Mathieu Garon, matching his career high total for a single season. Kopecký played in the Blackhawks' last game of the season on 10 April 2011, against his former team the Detroit Red Wings. The defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks desperately needed either a win in any fashion or an overtime/shootout loss to decisively clinch a playoff spot. A win would solidify a seventh seed finish while a overtime or shootout loss would result in an eighth seed finish. The Hawks lost the game 4–3 in regulation not gaining any points in the standings, but still clinched the eighth and final playoff spot due to a Dallas Stars 5–3 loss later that same day against the Minnesota Wild. If the Stars had won their finale against the Wild, the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks would've missed the playoffs entirely by one point and it would've marked the first time in Kopecký's career to have been on a non-playoff team. Kopecký ended the season with career highs in games played (81), goals (15), assists (27) and points (42) and had now been on a playoff-bound team for six consecutive seasons as a result of the Blackhawks narrow playoff berth. Kopecký was taken out of Game 1 of the first round of the 2011 playoffs on 13 April against the Presidents' Trophy-winning Vancouver Canucks with a concussion after being hit by Canucks defenseman Sami Salo.[5] He did not return to the ice for the rest of the series and the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks ultimately lost the first-round matchup in seven games.
Florida Panthers (2011–2015)
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Kopecký was poised to become an unrestricted free agent on 1 July 2011. However, on 27 June, the Blackhawks traded Kopecký to the Florida Panthers, who obtained the exclusive negotiating rights with the player until he was to become a free agent. In return, the Blackhawks received a seventh round draft pick in either the 2012 or 2013 NHL Entry Draft.[6] Two days later, on 29 June, the Panthers signed Kopecký to a four-year deal worth a total of $12 million.[7] Kopecký finished the 2011–12 season with 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points in 80 games as the Panthers finished as the third seed in the Eastern Conference leading the Panthers qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2000. The Panthers would be defeated in the first round of the 2012 playoffs in seven games by the sixth seeded New Jersey Devils and Kopecký would record a goal and no assists for one point in all seven games.[8]
The 48 game lockout-shortened 2012–13 season would see the Panthers not only fail to qualify for the playoffs but also finish last place in the entire NHL, resulting in Kopecký missing the playoffs for the first time in his career. Despite the team struggles, Kopecký continued to stay productive individually having finished the abbreviated season by recording 15 goals and 12 assists for 27 points in 47 games played.
On 29 December 2013, Kopecký played in his 500th NHL game in a 4–1 Panthers win over the Montreal Canadiens.[9] On 15 February 2014, Kopecký suffered a concussion in a game against Slovenia in the 2014 Winter Olympics resulting in him missing the rest of the Olympic tournament and the remainder of the 2013–14 season for the Panthers.[10] Kopecký would end the injury-depleted season with four goals and eight assists for 12 points in 49 games as the Panthers would fail to qualify for the playoffs as they finished the season in second-to-last place in the NHL.
Kopecký would play 64 games in the 2014–15 season with two goals and six assists for eight points recorded. Despite his decrease in production and the Panthers failing to qualify for the playoffs once more, Kopecký would be the Panthers nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance and dedication to the game of hockey (although he wasn't named a top three finalist by the NHL).[11]
Post NHL career
editAt the conclusion of his contract with the Panthers, and failing to meet the expectations of his contract the last two seasons of the deal, Kopecký went un-signed over the 2015 off-season as a free agent. On 22 October 2015, Kopecký returned to Europe and signed in the Czech Republic for the remainder of the season with HC Oceláři Třinec.
Personal life
editTomas is married to Maria and has two sons named Jakub (born 8 February 2004)[12] and Tobias (born 20 February 2009).[13][14]
International play
edit| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Representing Slovakia | ||
| Ice hockey | ||
| World Championships | ||
| 2012 Helsinki | ||
Kopecký has participated in eight international tournaments for Slovakia:
Awards and achievements
edit- 2008 Stanley Cup Champion with the Detroit Red Wings
- 2010 Member of the Slovakia Winter Olympic Team
- 2010 Stanley Cup Champion with the Chicago Blackhawks
- 2012 World Championship Silver Medalist
- 2014 Member of the Slovakia Winter Olympic Team
Career statistics
editRegular season and playoffs
edit| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1997–98 | Dukla Trenčín | SVK U20 | 41 | 19 | 22 | 41 | 76 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Dukla Trenčín | SVK U20 | 51 | 22 | 18 | 40 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–2000 | Dukla Trenčín | SVK U20 | 14 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–2000 | Dukla Trenčín | SVK | 52 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 24 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2000–01 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | 49 | 22 | 28 | 50 | 52 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 2000–01 | Cincinnati Mighty Ducks | AHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | 60 | 34 | 42 | 76 | 94 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 15 | ||
| 2001–02 | Cincinnati Mighty Ducks | AHL | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2002–03 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 70 | 17 | 21 | 38 | 32 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||
| 2003–04 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 48 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2004–05 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 48 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 77 | 32 | 40 | 72 | 123 | 16 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 25 | ||
| 2006–07 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 26 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||
| 2007–08 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 77 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 43 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 79 | 6 | 13 | 19 | 46 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | ||
| 2009–10 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 74 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 28 | 17 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 8 | ||
| 2010–11 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 81 | 15 | 27 | 42 | 60 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 80 | 10 | 22 | 32 | 32 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 2012–13 | Dukla Trenčín | SVK | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 47 | 15 | 12 | 27 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2013–14 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 49 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 64 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2015–16 | HC Oceláři Třinec | ELH | 38 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 34 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 2016–17 | HK Dukla Trenčín | SVK | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2016–17 | HC Slovan Bratislava | KHL | 15 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| AHL totals | 246 | 64 | 76 | 140 | 224 | 33 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 33 | ||||
| NHL totals | 578 | 68 | 106 | 174 | 307 | 37 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 25 | ||||
International
edit| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Slovakia | WJC18 | 5th | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2000 | Slovakia | WJC | 9th | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| 2001 | Slovakia | WJC | 8th | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 16 | |
| 2002 | Slovakia | WJC | 8th | 7 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 22 | |
| 2010 | Slovakia | OG | 4th | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| 2012 | Slovakia | WC | 10 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 4 | ||
| 2013 | Slovakia | WC | 8th | 8 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |
| 2014 | Slovakia | OG | 11th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2015 | Slovakia | WC | 9th | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Junior totals | 22 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 42 | ||||
| Senior totals | 33 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 12 | ||||
References
edit- ^ Hahn, John (2008). "Kopecky undergoes successfully surgery". Archived from the original on 9 June 2008. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
- ^ Michael MRock (17 June 2009). "2009 Stanley Cup Final Game Seven: The Perfect Storm". bleacherreport.com. Bleacher Report. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ Chicago Blackhawks Press Release (2009). "Blackhawks Sign Hossa To 12-Year Deal, Ink C Kopecky To 2-Year Contract". Archived from the original on 4 July 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
- ^ San Diego Tribune (30 November 2010). "Kane, Toews lead Blackhawks past Blues 7-5". sandiegotribute.com. San Diego Tribune. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ Dustin Fink (18 April 2011). "NHL Post Season Concussion Report #1". theconcussionblog.com. The Concussion Blog. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ Rogers, Jesse (27 June 2011). "Blackhawks trade Tomas Kopecky". ESPN. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
- ^ "Panthers lock up Kopecky". sportsnet.ca. Archived from the original on 2 July 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ Staff Report (27 April 2012). "Devils beat Panthers in double OT, get Flyers next". trentonian.com. The Trentonian. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ San Diego Tribune (29 December 2013). "Panthers roll to 4-1 win over Canadiens". sandiegotribune.com. San Diego Tribune. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ Jeff Klein (24 February 2014). "Injuries at the Olympics Deplete Several Rosters". nytimes.com. New York Times. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ George Richards (7 April 2015). "Tomas Kopecky is Florida Panthers' nominee for Masterton Trophy". miamiherald.com. Miami Herald. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ "Kopys a family man". mlive.com. 2 January 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
- ^ "Kopecky rebounds from injury". Fox Sports. 3 February 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Kopecky becomes a dad". mlive.com. 2 February 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2008.
External links
edit- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
- Tomáš Kopecký at Olympedia
- Tomáš Kopecký at Olympics.com
- Tomáš Kopecký at Olympic.sk (in Slovak)