- Marián Gáborík
-
Marián Gáborík 
Born February 14, 1982
Trenčín, CzechoslovakiaHeight 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight 198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb) Position Right wing Shoots Left NHL team
Former teamsNew York Rangers
Minnesota Wild
Färjestads BKNational team 
SlovakiaNHL Draft 3rd overall, 2000
Minnesota WildPlaying career 1998–present Website MarianGaborik10.com Marián Gáborík (born February 14, 1982) is a Slovak professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He began his career in the Slovak Extraliga with HC Dukla Trenčín for two seasons before being drafted third overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild. Spending eight seasons in Minnesota before signing with the Rangers in 2009, Gáborík is the Wild's all-time leading scorer in goals, assists and points. Internationally, Gáborík is a two-time Olympian with Slovakia and has won a bronze medal at the 1999 World Junior Championships.
Contents
Playing career
Dukla Trenčin
Gáborík played with HC Dukla Trencin's junior team and scored 59 points over 36 games in 1997–98. That same season, he appeared in one Slovak Extraliga game with Dukla Trencin's men's team, scoring a goal in his professional debut. The following season in 1998–99, he joined Dukla Trencin in the Slovak Extraliga full-time and 20 points over 33 games as a rookie. Gáborík then improved to 46 points in 50 games the following season in his draft year.
Minnesota Wild
Gáborík was drafted by the Minnesota Wild with the third overall pick in the first round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft after Rick DiPietro and Dany Heatley. Gaborik immediately showed promise during his rookie season with the Wild, collecting 18 goals and 36 points for the expansion Wild. Gáborík elevated his game the following season, in 2001–02, notching his first 30-goal season and nearly doubling his rookie output to 67 points. He also recorded his first NHL hat-trick near the beginning of the season on November 13, 2001.[1] In 2002–03, Gáborík was named to his first NHL All-Star Game and won the fastest skater competition, lapping the rink in 13.713 seconds.[2] He notched 30 goals for the second consecutive season, but more importantly helped lead the Wild to their first ever playoff appearance. He capped off his third NHL season with 17 points in 18 games as part of a run to the Western Conference Finals.
Gaborik saluting the crowd following his five-goal game in 2007.
Contractual issues kept Gáborík from starting the 2003–04 season with the Wild as his initial entry-level contract came to an end in the off-season. Holding out with HC Dukla Trenčín of the Slovak Extraliga, his agent, Allan Walsh, asserted that Gáborík would not take less than $6.5 million a year.[3] After switching agents three times, Gáborík eventually agreed to a three-year, $10-million contract with the Wild on October 31, 2003.[4] Limited to 65 games that season, he recorded 18 goals and 40 points. Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Gáborík again returned to HC Dukla Trenčín where he dominated with 52 points in 29 games. He also saw time with Färjestads BK of the Elitserien.
As NHL play resumed in 2005–06, Gáborík took another step forward, becoming a point-per-game player with 38 goals and 66 points in a 65-game season limited by a groin injury. His season was shortened once more the following season in 2006–07, re-injuring his groin on October 20, 2006, against the Anaheim Ducks. Despite a 10-14 day estimated recovery time,[5] he did not return to the lineup until January 6, 2007, against the Colorado Avalanche two-and-a-half months later. Although Gáborík missed 34 games, he still managed a second consecutive 30-goal season to go with 57 points overall.
On December 20, 2007, Gáborík recorded a six-point game against the New York Rangers with five goals and an assist. This made him the first player in Wild history to score five goals in a game, as well as the first NHLer since Sergei Fedorov of the Detroit Red Wings did so 11 years earlier (on December 26, 1996, versus the Washington Capitals).[6] At mid-season, he was chosen to his second NHL All-Star Game and would go on to record personal bests of 42 goals, 41 assists and 83 points. Gáborík finished his career year as team captain for the Wild in March 2008. It was the first time in his career he was chosen as part of the team's monthly rotating captaincy.[7]
Gaborik in March 2009Entering the final year of his contract with the Wild in 2008–09, the Wild began negotiations early to re-sign Gaborik. A deal of $80 million over 10 years was reportedly turned down by Gaborik and the Wild consequently began entertaining trade offers from NHL teams.[8] His playing time with the Wild was limited in his final year after being sidelined early in the season with a lower-body injury[8] before undergoing hip surgery in January 2009.[9] He returned to the lineup on March 21, 2009, against the Edmonton Oilers[10] and finished the season with 23 points in 17 games.
Gaborik was unable to sign a new contract with the Wild in the 2009 off-season. He left the Wild after eight seasons as its last original player and as the club's all-time leader in goals, assists and points.[11]
New York Rangers
Leading up to the free agency period, Gaborik was speculated to have interest in signing with the Vancouver Canucks after The Province reported he had recently bought a home in West Vancouver in the 2009 off-season.[12] Nevertheless, Gáborík signed as an unrestricted free agent with the New York Rangers on the first day of free agency on July 1, 2009. The Rangers signed him to a reported $37.5 million over five years.[13]
Gaborik got off to a quick start with his new club, scoring 10 goals in his first 12 games.[14] Nearly a month into the season, he suffered a knee injury after colliding with former Ranger Petr Prucha in a game against the Phoenix Coyotes on October 26, 2009.[14] He missed two games, including what would have been his first game back in Minnesota against the Wild. Gaborik was injured for a second time in the season when his right leg was cut by team goaltender Henrik Lundqvist during a team practice on February 9, 2010.[15] Though the Rangers missed the playoffs, Gaborik did not disappoint in his first season with the team. He played in 76 games, matching his career high with 42 goals, and set a new career high in points with 86.
His second season with the Rangers (2010-11) was marred somewhat by injury. Just three games into the season, Gaborik suffered a shoulder injury after being on the receiving end of an illegal boarding hit in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The ailment caused him to miss nearly a month, and limited his playing style somewhat upon his return, which relies on his tremendous wrist shot. Perhaps due to lingering effects from his various ailments, Gaborik proved a very streaky scorer throughout the year, finishing with 22 goals and 26 assists in 62 games, though 12 of those goals came in just 4 games. His best game of the season occurred on January 19th, 2011, as Gaborik scored four goals and an assist in a 7-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Rangers qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since Gaborik had joined the team, on the final day of the season with a 5-2 win over the rival New Jersey Devils. Gaborik contributed an assist on the game winning goal, and a +2 rating during the contest.
Awards
- NHL Player of the Week for October 21–27, 2002.
- Played in the NHL All-Star Game in 2003 and 2008.
- NHL First Star of the Week for January 7–14, 2008.
Career statistics
Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM +/- PP SH GW GP G A Pts PIM 2000–01 Minnesota Wild NHL 71 18 18 36 32 -6 6 0 3 — — — — — 2001–02 Minnesota Wild NHL 78 30 37 67 34 0 10 0 4 — — — — — 2002–03 Minnesota Wild NHL 81 30 35 65 46 +12 5 1 8 18 9 8 17 6 2003–04 HC Dukla Trenčín SVK 9 10 3 13 10 +9 — — — — — — — — 2003–04 Minnesota Wild NHL 65 18 22 40 16 +10 3 0 4 — — — — — 2004–05 HC Dukla Trenčín SVK 29 25 27 52 46 +43 — — — 12 8 9 17 26 2004–05 Färjestads BK SEL 12 6 4 10 45 +8 — — — — — — — — 2005–06 Minnesota Wild NHL 65 38 28 66 64 +6 10 2 7 — — — — — 2006–07 Minnesota Wild NHL 48 30 27 57 40 +12 12 1 7 5 3 1 4 8 2007–08 Minnesota Wild NHL 77 42 41 83 63 +17 11 1 8 6 0 1 1 4 2008–09 Minnesota Wild NHL 17 13 10 23 2 +3 2 1 2 — — — — — 2009–10 New York Rangers NHL 76 42 44 86 37 +15 14 1 4 — — — — — 2010–11 New York Rangers NHL 62 22 26 48 18 +8 7 0 4 5 1 1 2 2 NHL totals 640 283 288 571 356 +77 80 7 51 34 13 11 24 20 International play
Medal record 
Marián GáboríkCompetitor for SlovakiaIce hockey World Junior Championships Bronze 1999 Canada Gáborík has played for Slovakia in the following competitions:
- 1999 World Junior Championships (bronze medal)
- 2001 World Championships
- 2004 World Championships
- 2004 World Cup
- 2005 World Championships
- 2006 Winter Olympics
- 2007 World Championships
- 2010 Winter Olympics
International statistics
Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM 1999 Slovakia WJC 6 3 0 3 2 1999 Slovakia WJC18 7 3 8 11 2 2000 Slovakia WJC 7 3 1 4 0 2000 Slovakia WJC18 6 6 2 8 12 2001 Slovakia WC 7 2 1 3 0 2004 Slovakia WC 9 4 2 6 4 2004 Slovakia WCup 4 1 0 1 2 2005 Slovakia WC 7 3 1 4 6 2006 Slovakia Oly 6 3 4 7 4 2007 Slovakia WC 6 5 6 11 14 2010 Slovakia Oly 7 4 1 5 6 2011 Slovakia WC 6 2 1 3 0 World Junior Championships (U18) Totals 13 9 10 19 14 World Junior Championships Totals 13 6 1 7 2 World Championships Totals 35 16 11 27 24 World Cup of Hockey Totals 4 1 0 1 2 Olympics Totals 13 7 5 12 10 Total International 78 39 27 66 52 Charity
Gáborík has used his success to benefit Slovak ice hockey and player development. In 2005, he opened his ice rink Arena Mariána Gáboríka in his native city of Trenčín, Slovakia at a personal cost of approximately 50 million Slovak crowns[16]. The ice rink provides the opportunity to both learn how to skate as well as play ice hockey for local youth, and also contains both a full fitness center for off-ice conditioning and accommodations so that participants in programs may stay overnight. The rink earned the distinction of "2005 Construction of the Year" in Trenčín[17]. Beginning in 2009, Gáborík's ice rink has also begun offering a hockey school program[18].
Of the rink, Gáborík says:[19]
“ "ARENA MG represents the fulfilment of one of my dreams. It was in Trenčín where I took my first ice-hockey steps, where I learned the first zigzags and shot my first goals. I am thankful for this opportunity and in order to give thanks for what ice hockey gave me, I also wanted to help other boys and girls and create conditions to help fulfil their sports dreams." ” Gáborík spends a lot of personal time pursuing this endeavor during the offseason, as he personally attends each of his hockey school's summer camp sessions to meet the campers and pose for photographs[20].
He has also founded the Marian Gaborik Foundation, which also supports his mission of expanding access to youth hockey in Slovakia[21].
See also
- Slovaks in the NHL
References
- ^ "Marian Gaborik's Minnesota Wild Profile". Minnesota Wild. http://wild.nhl.com/team/app?page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8468483&service=page&tab=bio.
- ^ "All-Star Game". ESPN. http://proxy.espn.go.com/nhl/allstar/skills.
- ^ "Wild discuss offer to holdout Gaborik". ESPN. 2003-10-10. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?id=1636226. Retrieved 2008-12-10.
- ^ "Gaborik signs deal with Wild". ESPN. 2003-10-31. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?id=1651092. Retrieved 2008-12-10.
- ^ "Marian Gaborik". TSN. 2006. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2096. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
- ^ "Recap". Sports Illustrated. 2007. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/nhl/viewcast/2007/12/20/index.html?contestId=22833&vendorId=2007122030&vendorVisitTeam=13&vendorHomeTeam=30&pageType=recap. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
- ^ "Recap". Minnesota Wild and NHL. 2008. http://wild.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=355547. Retrieved March 1, 2008.
- ^ a b "While Marian Gaborik rumors go wild, the Wild keep going". Sporting News. 2008-10-22. http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/article/2008-10-22/while-marian-gaborik-rumors-go-wild-wild-keep-going. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
- ^ Marian Gaborik of the Wild to Have Hip Surgery SI.com, January 2, 2009
- ^ Gaborik Returns, Koivu Hurt in Wild Win fanhouse.com, March 22, 2009
- ^ "Career Stats - Regular season - Minnesota Wild - All Skaters - Career Leaders for Team - Career Points". National Hockey League. http://www.nhl.com/ice/careerstats.htm?fetchKey=00002MINSAHAll&sort=points&viewName=careerLeadersForTeam. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
- ^ "Canucks intrigue as Marian Gaborik buys West Van home". The Province. 2009-07-23. http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/teams/vancouver-canucks/story.html?id=1725794&add_feed_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.faceoff.com%2Fscripts%2FSP6Atom.aspx%3Fid%3D894638. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
- ^ "Gaborik signs with Rangers". NHL.com. 2009-07-01. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=433167. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
- ^ a b Brooks, Larry (2009-10-28). "Rangers' Gaborik not playing tonight". New York Post. http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/rangers/rangers_gaborik_not_playing_tonight_FAevHZMfwF33QVwoeJp6aO. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
- ^ "Rangers' Gaborik sits out versus Preds because of cut on leg". The Sports Network. 2010-02-10. http://tsn.ca/nhl/teams/story/?id=309674&hubname=nhl-rangers. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
- ^ "MG Rink, small ice rink Marian Gaborik .:: Official websites of Marian Gaborik ::. (Introduction)". mariangaborik.sk. http://www.mariangaborik.sk/en/arena/index.php?PHPSESSID=287f65a236438e25e64a4838ac0e5a4e. Retrieved 05-9-2011.
- ^ "MG Rink, small ice rink Marian Gaborik .:: Official websites of Marian Gaborik ::. (Arena MG)". mariangaborik.sk. http://www.mariangaborik.sk/en/arena/arena.php?PHPSESSID=287f65a236438e25e64a4838ac0e5a4e. Retrieved 05-9-2011.
- ^ "The Hockey School of Marian Gaborik .:: Official website of Marian Gaborik ::. (Introduction)". mariangaborik.sk. http://www.mariangaborik.sk/en/hokejova_skola/index.php?PHPSESSID=287f65a236438e25e64a4838ac0e5a4e. Retrieved 05-9-2011.
- ^ "MG Rink, small ice rink Marian Gaborik .:: Official websites of Marian Gaborik ::. (Arena MG)". mariangaborik.sk. http://www.mariangaborik.sk/en/arena/arena.php?PHPSESSID=287f65a236438e25e64a4838ac0e5a4e. Retrieved 05-9-2011.
- ^ "The Hockey School of Marian Gaborik .:: Official websites of Marian Gaborik ::. (Hockey School)". mariangaborik.sk. http://www.mariangaborik.sk/en/hokejova_skola/hockey_school.php?PHPSESSID=287f65a236438e25e64a4838ac0e5a4e. Retrieved 05-9-2011.
- ^ "The Marian Gaborik Foundation .:: Official websites of Marian Gaborik ::. (Activities)". mariangaborik.sk. http://www.mariangaborik.sk/en/nadacia/activities.php?PHPSESSID=287f65a236438e25e64a4838ac0e5a4e. Retrieved 05-9-2011.
External links
- Marián Gáborík's NHL player profile
- Marián Gáborík's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
- Marián Gáborík at NHLPA
- Marian Gaborik Official Site
Preceded by
NoneMinnesota Wild first round draft pick
2000Succeeded by
Mikko KoivuPreceded by
Mikko KoivuMinnesota Wild captains
March and April 2008Succeeded by
Mikko KoivuCategories:- 1982 births
- Färjestads BK players
- Ice hockey players at the 2006 Winter Olympics
- Ice hockey players at the 2010 Winter Olympics
- Living people
- Minnesota Wild draft picks
- Minnesota Wild players
- National Hockey League All-Stars
- National Hockey League first round draft picks
- New York Rangers players
- Olympic ice hockey players of Slovakia
- People from Trenčín
- Slovak ice hockey players
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