Marek Židlický (Czech pronunciation: [ˈmarɛk ˈʒɪdlɪtskiː]; born 3 February 1977) is a Czech former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the sixth round, 176th overall, by the New York Rangers in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Marek Židlický
Židlický with the New Jersey Devils in 2013
Born (1977-02-03) 3 February 1977 (age 47)
Most, Czechoslovakia
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Right
Played for HC Kladno
Helsingin IFK
Nashville Predators
Minnesota Wild
New Jersey Devils
Detroit Red Wings
New York Islanders
National team  Czech Republic
NHL draft 176th overall, 2001
New York Rangers
Playing career 1994–2016

Playing career

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Marek Židlický was selected 176th overall, in the sixth round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft on June 24, 2001. He was selected as the sixth choice of the New York Rangers. Židlický had a very strong 2000–01 season with HIFK of the Finnish SM-liiga, ranking third on his team in assists (25) and tied for second on his team in points (37). He also led the league in points by a defenceman. This was enough for the Rangers to draft him in the NHL entry draft that next summer.

Židlický and the Rangers, however, could never agree to contract terms. The major sticking point was that Židlický wanted a one-way contract which would pay him the same amount of money regardless of whether he was playing in the NHL or the American Hockey League (AHL). He wanted this contract because he was worried about the depth of the Rangers and did not want to spend too much time in the minor leagues. The Rangers, however, would not agree to such a deal and only offered a two-way contract, one that would pay him at a lower rate if he played in the AHL. Because of these contract differences, Židlický opted to stay in Finland and continue playing for HIFK.

Židlický had two more very strong years for HIFK leading the team in points in 2001–02 with 40 points. The next season, he tied for the team lead in points with 47. Realizing that Židlický would not come to North America to play without a one-way contract and unwilling to give him one, the Rangers traded him, along with Rem Murray and Tomáš Klouček, for goaltender Mike Dunham on December 12, 2002, to the Nashville Predators.

 
Židlický as a member of the Minnesota Wild

Židlický joined the Predators in Nashville for the 2003–04 season, which proved to be a very successful season for Židlický. He recorded his first NHL point in his NHL debut on October 10, 2003, in a 3–1 win over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He scored his first NHL goal the next day in the second period of a 3–1 loss to the Dallas Stars. He became the first Predator to play all 82 games in his first season in the league (he was not considered a rookie because of his age).

Židlický was injured when he was checked in the opening minutes of the first ever Predators playoff game against the Detroit Red Wings. He suffered a concussion and was unable to return for any more games in the playoff series. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Židlický returned to play for HIFK in Helsinki. On May 8, 2006, it was announced that the Predators and Židlický had agreed on terms for a new four-year contract worth $13.5 million.[1]

On July 1, 2008, Židlický was traded to the Minnesota Wild for Ryan Jones and a second round draft pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.[2] During his second season with the Wild, Židlický was re-signed to a three-year contract extension on March 2, 2010.[3]

On February 24, 2012, Židlický was traded to the New Jersey Devils from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Kurtis Foster, Nick Palmieri, Stephane Veilleux, a Washington Capitals' second round draft pick in 2012 and a conditional pick in 2013. In July 2013, he was re-signed by the Devils.[4] On June 3, 2014, Zidlicky was re-signed by the Devils to a one-year contract worth $3 million, plus $1 million with incentives.[5]

On March 2, 2015, the Devils traded Židlický to the Detroit Red Wings for a conditional third-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. Initially, the Red Wings were nearing a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs for captain Dion Phaneuf, however, the deal fell through at the last minute, forcing the Red Wings to look elsewhere for a defenceman.[6] The Red Wings were in need of a veteran right-handed shot to fit in on their powerplay, and Židlický filled this quota almost immediately after arriving in Detroit.[7] During his first game with the Red Wings on March 4, Židlický scored the game-winning overtime goal, in a 2–1 win over the New York Rangers.[8]

On September 18, 2015, Židlický signed as a free agent to a one-year contract with the New York Islanders.[9]

Records

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  • Nashville Predators franchise record for assists in a game (5)
  • Nashville Predators franchise record for power play points in a season (35)

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
1994–95 Poldi SONP Kladno ELH 30 2 2 4 36 11 1 1 2 12
1995–96 HC Poldi Kladno ELH 37 4 5 9 74 7 1 1 2 8
1996–97 HC Poldi Kladno ELH 49 5 16 21 60 2 0 0 0 0
1997–98 HC Velvana Kladno ELH 51 2 13 15 119
1998–99 HC Velvana Kladno ELH 50 10 12 22 92
1999–2000 HIFK SM-l 47 4 16 20 66 9 3 2 5 24
2000–01 HIFK SM-l 51 12 25 37 146 5 0 1 1 6
2001–02 HIFK SM-l 56 11 29 40 107
2002–03 HIFK SM-l 54 10 37 47 79 4 0 0 0 4
2003–04 Nashville Predators NHL 82 14 39 53 82 1 0 0 0 0
2004–05 HIFK SM-l 49 11 20 31 91 5 0 3 3 14
2005–06 Nashville Predators NHL 67 12 37 49 82 2 0 1 1 2
2006–07 Nashville Predators NHL 79 4 26 30 72 5 0 2 2 4
2007–08 Nashville Predators NHL 79 5 38 43 63 6 0 3 3 8
2008–09 Minnesota Wild NHL 76 12 30 42 76
2009–10 Minnesota Wild NHL 78 6 37 43 67
2010–11 Minnesota Wild NHL 46 7 17 24 30
2011–12 Minnesota Wild NHL 41 0 14 14 24
2011–12 New Jersey Devils NHL 22 2 6 8 10 24 1 8 9 22
2012–13 Rytíři Kladno ELH 25 3 22 25 28
2012–13 New Jersey Devils NHL 48 4 15 19 38
2013–14 New Jersey Devils NHL 81 12 30 42 60
2014–15 New Jersey Devils NHL 63 4 19 23 42
2014–15 Detroit Red Wings NHL 21 3 8 11 14 6 0 0 0 4
2015–16 New York Islanders NHL 53 4 12 16 20 5 0 1 1 4
ELH totals 242 26 70 96 409 20 2 2 4 20
SM-l totals 257 48 127 175 489 23 3 6 9 48
NHL totals 836 89 328 417 680 49 1 15 16 44

International

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Medal record
Representing   Czech Republic
Olympic Games
  2006 Turin
World Championships
  2005 Vienna
  2011 Bratislava
Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
1995 Czech Republic WJC 7 0 2 2 31
1996 Czech Republic WJC 7 0 5 5 12
2004 Czech Republic WCH 5 3 1 4 2
2005 Czech Republic WC 9 1 3 4 18
2006 Czech Republic OG 7 4 1 5 16
2007 Czech Republic WC 7 1 5 6 6
2008 Czech Republic WC 7 1 4 5 6
2009 Czech Republic WC 7 0 1 1 6
2010 Czech Republic OG 5 0 5 5 2
2011 Czech Republic WC 9 1 4 5 6
2013 Czech Republic WC 2 0 0 0 0
2014 Czech Republic OG 5 2 2 4 8
Junior totals 14 0 7 7 43
Senior totals 63 13 26 39 70

References

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  1. ^ "Predators sign Zidlicky to new four year deal". ESPN. 2006-05-08. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
  2. ^ "Wild acquire Zidlicky; sign Brunette to multi-year contract". ESPN. 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
  3. ^ "Zidlicky, Stoner sign extensions". ESPN. 2010-03-02. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
  4. ^ "Devils acquire Zidlicky from Wild for three players, picks". The Sports Network. 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  5. ^ The Star Ledger. June 4, 2014. pg. 52
  6. ^ "Marek Zidlicky traded to Red Wings after Dion Phaneuf falls through". Yahoo. March 2, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  7. ^ "Red Wings acquire Zidlicky from Devils". NHL. 2015-03-02. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  8. ^ "No better feeling for Zidlicky in debut". NHL. 2015-03-04. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
  9. ^ "Islanders agree to terms with Zidlicky". New York Islanders. 2015-09-18. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
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