Vladimír Vůjtek

For the Czech ice hockey player and coach, see Vladimír Vůjtek (ice hockey b. 1947).
Vladimír Vůjtek
Born (1972-02-17) February 17, 1972
Ostrava, Czechoslovakia
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 196 lb (89 kg; 14 st 0 lb)
Position Right Wing
Shot Right
Played for Montreal Canadiens
Edmonton Oilers
Tampa Bay Lightning
Atlanta Thrashers
Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL Draft 73rd overall, 1991
Montreal Canadiens
Playing career 1992–2007

Vladimír Vůjtek (born February 17, 1972 in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia) is a Czech retired ice hockey right wing. He was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the fourth round, 73rd overall, of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.

Career

Vůjtek played two seasons for HC Vítkovice in the Czechoslovak Extraliga before coming to North America to play for the Western Hockey League's Tri-City Americans. He made his NHL debut with Montreal in the 1991–92 season, appearing in two games before returning the Americans. Vůjtek joined the Edmonton Oilers' organization before the 1992–93 season, and played 70 games with the Oilers over two seasons. During the 1994-95 NHL lockout, Vůjtek returned to Europe. He remained in the Extraliga and the SM-liiga of Finland until 1997, where he played for HC Vitkovice for two seasons and spent one season skating with Ässät.

Vůjtek returned to the NHL with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1997–98 season. He played thirty games with the Lightning before being diagnosed with having the Epstein-Barr virus,[1] which took a toll on his energy and eventually had him miss the remainder of the season. After being unsigned by the Lightning, Vůjtek returned to the HC Vitkovice organization for another season.

On July 19, 1999, Vůjtek signed with the Atlanta Thrashers. During a preseason game against the New York Rangers, Vujtek was accidentally cut by the skate of forward Valeri Kamensky and was rushed to the hospital. He received over 100 stitches on his right cheek and underwent over two and a half hours of plastic surgery.[2] After three regular season games with the Thrashers, Vůjtek would again return to the Czech Republic.

After two seasons with HC Sparta Praha of Extraliga and a successful season with HPK Hameenlinna, Vůjtek returned to the NHL for a third time. Vujtek was signed on July 15, 2002 by then-General Manager Craig Patrick of the Pittsburgh Penguins to a one year, $600,000 contract.[1] Although Vujtek showed promise during training camp as a scoring leader,[3] it did not translate into regular season success. Vůjtek opened the 2002-03 NHL season on the second line working with linemates Alexei Kovalev and Ville Nieminen.[4] After five games, where Vůjtek recorded one assist, Vůjtek requested his release.

In his NHL career Vůjtek appeared in 110 games scoring seven goals and adding 30 assists.

Vůjtek returned to Europe after his release from the Penguins, where he would play several seasons in the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia and Switzerland. Vůjtek initially retired after the 2005-06 season after his hometown team HC Vitkovice did not offer him a contract. HC Vitkovice at the time was coached by his father, Vladimír Vůjtek Sr..

Vůjtek skated his final season in the Extraliga with HC Oceláři Třinec, where he scored nine points in twenty-four games.

Retirement

Vůjtek retired after the 2006-07 season. He is now a player agent for Eurohockey Services, co-managing the agency with former Pittsburgh Penguins teammate Michal Sivek.[5]

Personal

His father, Vladimír Vůjtek Sr., is a head coach with 27 years experience of head coaching experience with teams in the Extraliga and in Russia with both the Russian Superleague and the KHL[6]

Awards

References

  1. 1 2 Post-Gazette.com: Vůjtek Signed With Penguins Despite Bad Run Of Luck In NHL
  2. ↑ SouthCoastToday.com: Daily Sports Capsule, 9-20-1999
  3. ↑ Post-Gazette.com Penguins Notebook: 2 Young Players Make Mark
  4. ↑ Post-Gazette.com Summary 10-08-02
  5. ↑ EHShockey.com: Our team (Vladimír Vůjtek)
  6. ↑ EliteProspects.com: Team Staff Search Results, Vladimír Vůjtek
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