| Josef Vašíček | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 12, 1980 Havlíčkův Brod, Czechoslovakia |
| Died | September 7, 2011 (aged 30) Tunoshna, near Yaroslavl, Russia |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight | 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb) |
| Position | Centre |
| Shot | Left |
| Played for | Carolina Hurricanes Cincinnati Cyclones (IHL) HC Slavia Prague (CzEx) Nashville Predators New York Islanders Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL) |
| NHL Draft | 91st overall, 1998 Carolina Hurricanes |
| Playing career | 2000–2011 |
Josef Vašíček (English /ˈjoʊsɛf ˈvɑːʃiːtʃɛk/; September 12, 1980 – September 7, 2011) was a Czech professional ice hockey player. Vasicek last played for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and died when the team's aircraft charter crashed on September 7, 2011. Vasicek played seven seasons in the National Hockey League for the Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators and New York Islanders before moving to Russia in 2008 to play for Yaroslavl.
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Vasicek played with HC Slavia Praha under 17 team in 1996-97, recording 20 goals and 60 points in 37 games. In 1997-98, Vasicek moved up to the Praha's junior team, where he had 13 goals and 33 points in 34 games. He was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fourth round, 91st overall pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
During the 2004-05 NHL lockout, Vasicek played with HC Slavia Praha, scoring 20 goals and 43 points in 52 games to lead the club in scoring. In seven playoff games, Vasicek had a goal and seven points.
After being drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes, Vasicek made the move to North America, and joined the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. in the 1998-99 season, Vasicek scored 21 goals and 56 points in 66 games, helping the team to the playoffs. In five post-season games, Vasicek had three goals.
He returned to the Greyhounds for the 1999-2000 season, as Vasicek improved his offensive numbers to 26 goals and 72 points in 54 games to finished second in team scoring. In the playoffs, Vasicek had five goals and a team high 20 points in 17 games. Vasicek was named to the third all-star team after the season.
After having a solid training camp, Vasicek made the Carolina Hurricanes, and spent the entire 2000-01 season with the NHL team. Vasicek played in his first NHL game on October 7, 2000, getting no points in a 3-3 tie against the Washington Capitals. He scored his first NHL goal on October 13, 2000, beating Trevor Kidd of the Florida Panthers in a 2-2 tie. Vasicek finished his rookie season with eight goals and 21 points in 76 games. He played in his first ever playoff game on April 12, 2001, scoring a goal against Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils in a 5-1 loss. In six playoff games, Vasicek had two goals.
Vasicek improved offensively in 2001-02, as in 78 games, he scored 14 goals and 31 points to finished seventh in Hurricanes scoring. In the playoffs, Vasicek had three goals and five points in 23 games, helping the Hurricanes to the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost in five games to the Detroit Red Wings.
Vasicek had an injury plagued 2002-03 season, as he missed 25 games due to injuries. In 57 games played, he had 10 goals and 20 points, as Carolina failed to make the playoffs. On January 22, 2003, Vasicek had his first multi-goal game in the NHL, scoring twice against Olaf Kolzig of the Washington Capitals in a 5-3 loss.
He had his best NHL season with the Hurricanes in 2003-04, as Vasicek appeared in all 82 games, scoring 19 goals and 45 points to lead the team in scoring. Vasicek recored his first NHL hat trick on October 28, 2003, scoring three goals against Vesa Toskala of the San Jose Sharks in a 3-0 victory. The Hurricanes struggled, and missed the playoffs for the second straight season.
During the 2004-05 NHL lockout, Vasicek returned to HC Slavia Praha, where he scored 20 goals and 43 points in 52 games to lead that team in scoring. In seven playoff games, Vasicek had a goal and seven points.
When the NHL resumed play in 2005-06, Vasicek returned to the Hurricanes. In a game on November 11, 2005 against the Florida Panthers, Vasicek suffered a major knee injury, and remained out of the Carolina lineup until April 3, 2006. In his first game back, Vasicek had two goals and four points in a 6-5 win over the Washington Capitals. Overall, Vasicek appeared in 23 games, scoring four goals and nine points. In eight playoff games, Vasicek had no points, however, the Hurricanes won the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals over the Edmonton Oilers. On July 18, 2006, the Hurricanes traded Vasicek to the Nashville Predators for Scott Walker.
Vasicek began the 2006-07 season with the Nashville Predators. He made his Predators debut on October 5, 2006, scoring a goal against Nikolai Khabibulin of the Chicago Blackhawks in an 8-6 loss. Vasicek struggled with the Predators, as in 38 games, he had four goals and 13 points. On February 9, 2007, the Predators traded Vasicek back to the Carolina Hurricanes for Eric Belanger.
Vasicek finished the 2006-07 with the Carolina Hurricanes. In his first game back with his original NHL club on February 10, 2007, Vasicek was held pointless in a 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Wild. He recorded his first point on February 13, 2007, recording an assist in a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings, and scored his first goal with Carolina on February 27, 2007 in a 4-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Vasicek had a three point game with the Hurricanes on March 17, 2007, scoring a goal and two assists in a 7-2 win over the New Jersey Devils. He finished the season with two goals and nine points in 25 games with Carolina. After the season, Vasicek became an unrestricted free agent.
On August 15, 2007, Vasicek signed a 1-year, $750,000 contract with the New York Islanders. He made his Islanders debut on October 5, 2007, scoring a goal against Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres in a 6-4 win. Vasicek had his most productive NHL season since 2003-04, as he scored 16 goals and 35 points in 81 games. After the season, Vasicek became an unrestricted free agent.
Vasicek joined Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the newly formed KHL for the 2008-09 season. In 56 games, Vasicek had 12 goals and 32 points, helping the team to the playoffs. In 19 playoff games, Vasicek had five goals and 15 points.
He returned to Yaroslavl for the 2009-10 season, as Vasicek improved his offensive numbers to 21 goals and 48 points to lead the team in scoring. In 17 playoff games, Vasicek had six goals and 13 points.
In 2010-11, Vasicek once again improved offensively, scoring 24 goals and 55 points in 54 games, finishing second in team scoring and seventh in league scoring. In 18 playoff games, Vasicek had a league high 22 points, scoring seven goals and adding 15 assists, however, Yaroslavl lost in the Western Conference finals.
Vasicek returned to the club for the 2011-12, however, he was killed in a plane crash with his teammates on September 7, 2011.
Vasicek played in international hockey tournaments with the Czech Republic. He played in the 2000 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships held in Sweden, scoring a goal and four points in seven games as the Czech Republic won the Gold Medal. Vasicek then appeared in the 2003 IIHF World Championship held in Finland, scoring two assists in nine games as the Czech's finished in fourth place. He played in one game at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, getting no points, as his team won the Bronze Medal. At the 2005 IIHF World Championship played in Austria, Vasicek had a goal and two points, helping the Czech Republic to a Gold Medal. His next international appearance was at the 2009 IIHF World Championship held in Switzerland, as Vasicek had a goal and three points in six games, as the Czech Republic finished in sixth place. In the 2010 Winter Olympics held in Vancouver, Canada, Vasicek had no points in five games, as the Czech Republic finished in seventh place.
Vašíček was related by marriage to Buffalo Sabres left wing Thomas Vanek; Vanek's brother is married to Vašíček's sister.[1]
On September 7, 2011, Vašíček was killed, when a Yakovlev Yak-42 passenger aircraft, carrying the entire Lokomotiv team, crashed just outside Yaroslavl, Russia. The team was traveling to Minsk to play their opening game of the season, with its coaching staff and prospects. Lokomotiv officials said "'everyone from the main roster was on the plane plus four players from the youth team.'"[2][3][4][5]
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Competitor for Czech Republic | ||
| Ice hockey | ||
| World Championships | ||
| Gold | 2005 Austria | |
| World Junior Championships | ||
| Gold | 2000 Sweden | |
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1998–99 | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds | OHL | 66 | 21 | 35 | 56 | 30 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | ||
| 1999–00 | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds | OHL | 54 | 26 | 46 | 72 | 49 | 17 | 5 | 15 | 20 | 8 | ||
| 2000–01 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 76 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 53 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2000–01 | Cincinnati Cyclones | IHL | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2001–02 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 78 | 14 | 17 | 31 | 53 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 12 | ||
| 2002–03 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 57 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 82 | 19 | 26 | 45 | 60 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | HC Slavia Prague | CzEx | 52 | 20 | 23 | 43 | 42 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 10 | ||
| 2005–06 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 23 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2006–07 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 38 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 25 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2007–08 | New York Islanders | NHL | 81 | 16 | 19 | 35 | 53 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Lokomotiv Yaroslavl | KHL | 56 | 12 | 20 | 32 | 81 | 19 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | ||
| 2009–10 | Lokomotiv Yaroslavl | KHL | 56 | 21 | 27 | 48 | 54 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 26 | ||
| 2010–11 | Lokomotiv Yaroslavl | KHL | 54 | 24 | 31 | 55 | 34 | 18 | 7 | 15 | 22 | 16 | ||
| NHL totals | 460 | 77 | 106 | 183 | 311 | 37 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 14 | ||||
| KHL totals | 166 | 57 | 78 | 135 | 169 | 54 | 18 | 32 | 50 | 62 | ||||