Zbyněk Michálek

Zbyněk Michálek (born 23 December 1982, in Jindřichův Hradec, Czechoslovakia) is a Czech former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played parts of 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Minnesota Wild, Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues.

Career
He was undrafted but started his career in the NHL with the Minnesota Wild. He played for the Wild for a season and mainly stayed with their farm team, Houston Aeros whom he won the Calder Cup with in 2003. He was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for Erik Westrum and Dustin Wood in 2005. He played 5 seasons with the Coyotes and lead the league in blocked shots during the 2008–09 NHL season. He signed a 5-year, $20 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1, 2010. He played 2 seasons with them and was traded back to the Coyotes during Draft Day 2012 for Harrison Ruopp, Marc Cheverie and a 2012 third-round draft pick (81st overall).

On 19 October 2017, Michálek signed a contract with Sparta Praha of the Czech Extraliga (ELH). He last played for Kometa Brno before retiring from playing professional ice hockey.

Personal life
His younger brother Milan also played in the NHL for parts of 13 seasons.

References

Other websites

Category:1982 births
Category:Living people
Category:Arizona Coyotes players
Category:Chicago Blackhawks players
Category:Czech ice hockey players
Category:Houston Aeros (1994–2013) players
Category:Ice hockey defencemen
Category:Minnesota Wild players
Category:Phoenix Coyotes players
Category:Pittsburgh Penguins players
Category:Shawinigan Cataractes players
Category:St. Louis Blues players
Category:Tucson Roadrunners players