- Rostislav Klesla
Infobox Ice Hockey Player
image_size=
team=Columbus Blue Jackets
former_teams =
league = NHL
position = Defence
shoots = Left
height_ft = 6
height_in = 3.8
weight_lb = 220
nickname = Rusty
nationality = CZE
birth_date = Birth date and age|1982|3|21|mf=y
birth_place =Novy Jicin , CZE
draft = 4th overall
draft_year = 2000
draft_team =Columbus Blue Jackets
career_start = 2000Rostislav Klesla (born
March 21 ,1982 inNovy Jicin ,Czech Republic ) is aprofessional ice hockey defenceman and an alternate captain for theColumbus Blue Jackets of the NHL. During the off season, Klesla spends his time in the Czech Republic.Playing career
Klesla was selected 4th overall by Columbus in the
2000 NHL Entry Draft , making him the first ever pick in an Entry Draft by the Blue Jackets. He also played with theBrampton Battalion of the OHL. He used to be No. 44 on the Blue Jackets, but is currently wearing No. 97.On April 18, 2006, he signed a four-year contract extension with the Blue Jackets [http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=163127&hubname=] .
He is usually referred to by fans (and the Blue Jackets' TV broadcast team) as "Rusty".
Klesla ends every interview with Jim Day of FSN Ohio with variations of "Thank you, Jim Day."
On September 26, 2006, Klesla was suspended for two 2006 regular season matches (the first one is on October 6 vs. Vancouver and the second is on October 7 at Chicago) for a hit on Chicago's
Tuomo Ruutu in a preseason match on September 22. The hit resulted in a grade II sprain in Ruutu's knee which will put him out of action for a while. [http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=178885&hubname=nhl] .During the 2006–07 season, when new coach
Ken Hitchcock assumed his position, Klesla's talent as a young defencemen became apparent when he earned top defensive pairing with VeteranAdam Foote . Klesla spent 20–25 minutes on the ice during the 75 games he played.Since
David Vyborny departed for HC Sparta Praha of the Czech Extraliga during the 2008 offseason, Klesla is now the only remaining player from the Blue Jackets inaugural season.Career Statistics
References
* [http://bluejackets.nhl.com/team/app?page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8468484&service=page&tab=crs CBJ Profile]
* [http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2417 Yahoo Profile]
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