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.

Bobby Holík
Holík with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2005
Born (1971-01-01) January 1, 1971 (age 53)
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 place 1990 Switzerland
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1989 United States
Bronze medal – third place 1990 Finland
European Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 1988 Czechoslovakia
Silver medal – second place 1989 Soviet Union

Playing career

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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

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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

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Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1987–88 ASD Dukla Jihlava CSSR 31 7 11 18 16
1988–89 ASD Dukla Jihlava CSSR 24 7 10 17 32 12 3 5 8
1989–90 ASD Dukla Jihlava CSSR 42 15 26 41
1990–91 Hartford Whalers NHL 78 21 22 43 113 6 0 0 0 7
1991–92 Hartford Whalers NHL 76 21 24 45 44 7 0 1 1 6
1992–93 New Jersey Devils NHL 61 20 19 39 76 5 1 1 2 6
1992–93 Utica Devils AHL 1 0 0 0 2
1993–94 New Jersey Devils NHL 70 13 20 33 72 20 0 3 3 6
1994–95 New Jersey Devils NHL 48 10 10 20 18 20 4 4 8 22
1995–96 New Jersey Devils NHL 63 13 17 30 58
1996–97 New Jersey Devils NHL 82 23 39 62 54 10 2 3 5 4
1997–98 New Jersey Devils NHL 82 29 36 65 100 5 0 0 0 8
1998–99 New Jersey Devils NHL 78 27 37 64 119 7 0 7 7 6
1999–2000 New Jersey Devils NHL 79 23 23 46 106 23 3 7 10 14
2000–01 New Jersey Devils NHL 80 15 35 50 97 25 6 10 16 37
2001–02 New Jersey Devils NHL 81 25 29 54 97 6 4 1 5 2
2002–03 New York Rangers NHL 64 16 19 35 52
2003–04 New York Rangers NHL 82 25 31 56 96
2005–06 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 64 15 18 33 79
2006–07 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 82 11 18 29 86 4 0 1 1 0
2007–08 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 82 15 19 34 90
2008–09 New Jersey Devils NHL 62 4 5 9 66 3 0 1 1 2
CSSR totals 97 29 47 76 48 12 3 5 8
NHL totals 1,314 326 421 747 1,421 141 20 39 59 120

International

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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 10 1 5 6 0
1991 Czechoslovakia WC 10 3 3 6 18
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

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References

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  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[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ "CZ-USA -> Bobby Holik". Archived from the original on 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
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Preceded by Hartford Whalers first round draft pick
1989
Succeeded by
Preceded by Atlanta Thrashers captain
2007–08
Succeeded by