Vladimír Růžička
Czech ice hockey coach and former player, Olympic gold medalist.
Vladimír Růžička, known as "Rosie," was born on 6 June 1963. This Czech ice hockey coach and former player earned the Czechoslovak Elite League's top player award twice. He won gold at the 1985 World Championship and the 1998 Olympics, and played 233 NHL games. Since 2008, he has coached both HC Slavia Praha and the Czech national team.
Quick Facts
- Played for
- CHZ Litvínov
- HK Dukla Trenčín
- Edmonton Oilers
- Boston Bruins
- Ottawa Senators
- HC Slavia Praha
- Position
- Centre
- Shoots
- Left
- Born
- 6 June 1963
- Birthplace
- Most, Czechoslovakia
- Draft
- 73rd overall
- Drafted by
- Toronto Maple Leafs
Facts from the source article.
Playing career
Růžička began his career with Czechoslovak side Litvínov, debuting at age 16 and scoring after ten seconds in his first game against Dukla Jihlava. Selected 73rd overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1982 NHL entry draft, he was barred from leaving Czechoslovakia by Communist authorities. He continued playing internationally for Czechoslovakia before making his NHL debut in 1989. His NHL career spanned five seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, and Ottawa Senators. His best statistical season was 1991–92, when he recorded 75 points (39 goals, 36 assists) with Boston and led the team in scoring. Though he has a Stanley Cup ring and appears on the 1990 Edmonton Oilers team picture, he played only 25 regular season games that year and did not appear in the playoffs, so his name was not engraved on the Cup. He finished his NHL career with 233 games, 82 goals, and 85 assists. For his national team, he played 200 games and scored 112 goals. He won a gold medal at the 1985 World Ice Hockey Championships and captained the gold medal-winning Czech Republic team at the 1998 Winter Olympics, retiring from international play after that tournament.
Coaching career
After retiring as a player in 2000, Růžička began coaching at HC Slavia Praha, leading the team to Czech Extraliga titles in 2002–03 and 2007–08. He served as an assistant coach of the Czech national team from 2002 to 2004. After head coach Ivan Hlinka died, Růžička took over and led the Czech Republic to the Vienna World Championship gold medal in 2005. He has coached the Czech national team to two gold medals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What position did Vladimír Růžička play?
Vladimír Růžička's position is listed as Centre.
Which teams did Vladimír Růžička play for?
Vladimír Růžička played for CHZ Litvínov, HK Dukla Trenčín, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators and HC Slavia Praha.
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