Martin Erat

Lore & Background

Erat was selected in the seventh round, 191st overall, of the 1999 NHL entry draft by the Nashville Predators. He made a splash in his NHL rookie year in 2001–02 as a member of the 'vowel line' with Vladimír Országh and Denis Arkhipov. His first NHL point was a game-winning goal against the Calgary Flames on October 11, 2001. That year, he set a then Nashville rookie record for games played (80), assists (24) and points (33).

He struggled in 2002–03 and spent most of the season with the Milwaukee Admirals. After changing his number from 19 to 10, his play improved in 2003–04, notching then career highs with 16 goals, 33 assists and 49 points, ranking second on the team with a +10 plus-minus rating. His first Stanley Cup playoff point was an assist in the 2004 Western Conference Quarterfinals. During the 2004–05 lockout, he played for HC Zlín.

In 2005–06, he scored a career-high 20 goals and played for the Czech team at the 2006 Winter Olympics, winning a bronze medal. In 2006–07, he tallied 57 points in 68 games, often teaming with Paul Kariya and David Legwand, but missed the final five weeks with a torn MCL. In 2007–08, he posted a new career-high of 23 goals and 57 points, then signed a seven-year, $31.5 million contract extension. He has two career hat-tricks.

On April 3, 2013, the Predators traded Erat and Michael Latta to the Washington Capitals for Filip Forsberg. On November 25, 2013, Erat requested a trade for the second time since being traded to the Capitals. On March 4, 2014, he was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes alongside John Mitchell. After 13 seasons and 881 regular season games, he signed with Avangard Omsk of the KHL on September 17, 2015.

In May 2016, he returned to the Czech Extraliga with HC Kometa Brno, helping the team claim its 12th championship on April 19, 2017. He retired on May 30, 2019.

Reader's Guide

Erat played for the Czech Republic at the 2001 World Junior Championships, winning gold. He played for the bronze medal-winning Czech team at the 2006 Winter Olympics. He was also a member of the silver medal-winning team at the 2006 IIHF World Championship. He was called up to replace Vladimír Sobotka for the 2014 Winter Olympics and also played in the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Did You Know?

• Erat has two career hat-tricks, the first against the Edmonton Oilers and the second against the Vancouver Canucks on December 8, 2009.
• He helped HC Kometa Brno end a 51-year championship drought in 2017.