Robert Holik

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 ho...

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. Playing career 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. Prior to the 2002–03 season, as a free agent, Holík signed a five-year, $45 million contract with the New York Rangers. 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. 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. 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. Since 2017, Holík has run a hockey school in Israel and coached their U-18 and U-20 programs. Personal life 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. 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 by shooting instructor Shepard Humphries, Holík became CZ-USA's celebrity representative. Awards and achievements Stanley Cup champion – 1995, 2000 NHL All-Star – 1998, 1999 Career statistics Regular season and playoffs International See also List of NHL players with 1,000 games played References External links Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database