Ľubomír Višňovský

Ľubomír Višňovský (born 11 August 1976) is a Slovak former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played parts of 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, and New York Islanders. Outside of the NHL, Višňovský has also played for HC Slovan Bratislava of the Polska Hokej Liga (PHL).

Višňovský is a one-time All-Star, being named on in 2007.

Career
Before playing in the NHL, Višňovský played parts of six seasons with the HC Slovan Bratislava of the Slovak Extraliga. He had a successful time with the team. With Slovan, he was named the Best Defenceman in Slovakia every year from 1999 until 2005 except 2004. He was also named the Best Player in Slovakia in 2005.

He was drafted 118th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2000 NHL entry draft. On 6 October 2000, Višňovský made his NHL debut in a 4–1 win against the Washington Capitals. On 9 October, he recorded his first two NHL points, assisting on goals from Kelly Buchberger and Jason Blake in a 7–1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. On November 20, Brulé scored his first NHL goal against Robert Esche in a 3–1 loss against the Phoenix Coyotes. He finished his rookie season scoring 7 goals and recording 32 assists for 39 points in 81 games. This led him to be named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. In 2007, he was named to the All-Star Game ecause of his productive season where he finished with 8 goals and 33 assists for 41 points in 82 games.

On 29 June 2008, the Kings traded Višňovský to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Jarret Stoll and Matt Greene. Over parts of two seasons, he scored 18 goals and recorded 45 assists. He dealt with injuries throughout most of his time in Edmonton, including having to end his season short because of him needing surgery to repair a labrum.

On 3 March 2010, the Oilers traded Višňovský to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Ryan Whitney and a 2010 sixth-round draft pick. He spent parts of three seasons with the Ducks.

On 22 June 2012, the Ducks traded Višňovský to the New York Islanders in exchange for a 2013 second-round draft pick. Višňovský was not happy with this trade and tried to stop the trade by saying that his no-trade clause in his Kings contract was still valid but the trade went through anyways. He refused to show up for the Islanders and was suspended by the team because of it. He eventually showed up to play. On 29 March 2013, Višňovský signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract to stay with the Islanders.

On 27 October 2015, Višňovský decided to return home and signed a one-year contract to rejoin HC Slovan Bratislava of the Slovak Extraliga. He scored 2 goals and recorded 8 assists for 10 points in 9 games in his return.

On 2 March 2016, Višňovský announced that he was retiring from playing professional ice hockey.

References

 Other websites 

Category:1976 births
Category:Living people
Category:Anaheim Ducks players
Category:Edmonton Oilers players
Category:Los Angeles Kings players
Category:New York Islanders players
Category:Slovak ice hockey defencemen