Aleš Hemský

Aleš Hemský (born 13 August 1983) is an Czech former professional ice hockey right winger. He played parts of 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, Dallas Stars, and Montreal Canadiens. Outside of the NHL, Hemský played for HC Dynamo Pardubice of the Czech Extraliga (EHL).

Hemský is a one-time All-Star, being named one in 2011. Internationally, he played for the Czech Republic national team and won a bronze medal with them at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

Career
Before playing in the NHL, Hemský played parts of two seasons with the Hull Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He had a successful time with the Olympiques, being named to the QMJHL All-Rookie team, the CHL All-Rookie Team, and was awarded the Mike Bossy Trophy for being the best professional prospect in the QMJHL. This came after he finished his rookie season, scoring 36 goals and recording 100 points which led all rookies in the league. He was named to both the QMJHL second All-Star team and CHL third All-Star team the next season.

He was drafted 13th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2001 NHL entry draft. On 10 October 2002, Hemský made his NHL debut in a 2–2 overtime tie against the Philadelphia Flyers. On 12 October 2002, he recorded his first career point, assisting on a Mike Comrie goal in a 2–2 overtime tie against the Nashville Predators. On 4 January 2003, Hemský scored his first NHL career goal against José Théodore in a 5–4 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens. He helped the Oilers during the playoffs. They defeated the Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. They were eventually defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes four games to three in the Final. On 25 July 2006, Hemský signed a six-year, $24.60 million contract to stay with the Oilers. On 11 January 2011, He was selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game but was unable to and had to be replaced because he was recovering from a concussion. On 24 February 2012, Hemský signed a two-year, $10 million to stay with the Oilers.

On 5 March 2014, the Oilers traded Hemský to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2014 fifth-round pick and a 2015 third-round pick. He played 20 games, scoring 4 goals and recording 13 assists.

On 1 July 2014, Hemský signed a three-year, $12 million contract to join the Dallas Stars. He played parts of three seasons with the Stars.

On 3 July 2017, Hemský signed a one-year, $1 million contract to join the Montreal Canadiens. He was only able to play 7 games with the team. On 20 October, he was hit twice in a game by Anaheim Ducks players Josh Manson and Corey Perry. This resulted in him having to be helped off the ice and was later diagnosed with a severe concussion. He never played another game in the NHL afterwards.

On 15 May 2020, Hemský officially announced that he was retiring from playing professional ice hockey.

References

 Other websites 

Category:1983 births
Category:Living people
Category:Czech ice hockey players
Category:Dallas Stars players
Category:Edmonton Oilers players
Category:Hull Olympiques players
Category:Medalists at the 2006 Winter Olympics
Category:Montreal Canadiens players
Category:Olympic bronze medalists for the Czech Republic
Category:Ottawa Senators players