Patrik Štefan

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size=
played_for = Atlanta Thrashers
Dallas Stars
position = Centre
shot = Left
height_ft = 6
height_in = 2
weight_lb = 210
nationality = CZE
birth_date = Birth date and age|1980|9|16|mf=y
birth_place = Příbram, CS
draft = 1st overall
draft_year = 1999
draft_team = Atlanta Thrashers
career_start = 1996
career_end = 2007

Patrik Štefan (September 16, 1980 in Příbram, Czechoslovakia) is a retired Czech professional/NHL ice hockey player.

Playing career

Patrik Štefan was drafted first overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. The draft was initially considered to be one of the deepest pools of talent, but many of the top selections have yet to make an impact in the NHL. The few exceptions are current stars Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Henrik Zetterberg and Martin Havlat.

Prior to being drafted by the Thrashers, Štefan played for Sparta Praha in the Czech Republic, and the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the IHL

Patrik played six seasons for the Atlanta Thrashers scoring 177 points. During the 04–05 NHL lockout, Patrik played for Ilves Tampere in the SM-liiga.In 37 games the center collected a total of 41 points including 28 assists. In the playoffs, Štefan had six assists and a goal in seven games for a total of seven points.

On June 24, 2006 after failing to live up to his expectations, Štefan was traded to the Dallas Stars along with Jaroslav Modry for Niko Kapanen and a 7th round draft pick in 2006.

Štefan earned significant notoriety when he missed and fell on a breakaway towards an empty net against the Edmonton Oilers on January 4, 2007, which allowed a play to develop where in Ales Hemsky scored with two seconds remaining to send the game to overtime. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDbEX666G3Y] Rogers Sportsnet broadcaster, and Stefan's former captain, Ray Ferraro commented during the telecast: "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. Patrik Stefan you should be embarrassed for what you just did! That does not belong in the National Hockey League!"

After Stefan's contract expired in 2007, the Dallas Stars chose not to re-sign him. Stefan signed with SC Bern of the Nationalliga A, but he only played three games for them before retiring on October 5, 2007 due to chronic injuries. [http://brochuishockey.blogspot.com/2007/10/patrik-stefan-retires-from-hockey.html]

Career statistics

ee also

* List of NHL players
* List of NHL first overall draft choices

External links

*hockeydb|30952