Roman Hamrlík (born April 12, 1974) is a Czech former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was originally selected first overall in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning, the first-ever selection by the expansion franchise, beginning his career with the team and later playing for the Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers. In total, he played 1,395 games during his NHL career and participated in three NHL All-Star Games, in 1996, 1999, and 2003.

Roman Hamrlík
Hamrlík with the Montreal Canadiens in 2009
Born (1974-04-12) April 12, 1974 (age 50)
Gottwaldov, Czechoslovakia
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 223 lb (101 kg; 15 st 13 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for ZPS Zlín
Tampa Bay Lightning
Edmonton Oilers
New York Islanders
Calgary Flames
Montreal Canadiens
Washington Capitals
New York Rangers
National team  Czech Republic
NHL draft 1st overall, 1992
Tampa Bay Lightning
Playing career 1990–2013

Hamrlík also represented the Czech Republic on numerous occasions at the international level, including at the 1998 Winter Olympics, where he was part of the gold medal-winning Czech team. He also played in the 2002 Winter Olympics, as well as two Ice Hockey World Championships, in 1994 and 2004, and two World Cup of Hockey tournaments, in 1996 and 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

Playing career

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Drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft from ZPS Zlín, Hamrlík played as a defenceman who typically took on an offensive role for his team, especially on the powerplay. His offensive prowess earned him the role of the "powerplay quarterback," as he often lead the offense in a powerplay.

After his draft, Hamrlík would make the immediate leap to North America to play for the Lightning in the 1992–93 season. In 1995–96, he posted career-highs in goals (16), assists (49) and points (65). After five-and-a-half seasons with the organization, Hamrlík was traded to the Edmonton Oilers midway through the 1997–98 season.

Hamrlík was traded the New York Islanders in the summer of 2000, in exchange for Eric Brewer, Josh Green, and a 2nd round pick in 2000. During the 2000–01 season, he would match his career-high in goals with 16.

Hamrlík signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Calgary Flames on August 12, 2005, to a two-year, $7 million contract. In 2006–07, he posted a career-high in plus-minus with +22. On July 2, 2007, again as a free agent, Hamrlík signed a four-year, $22 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens.

After four productive seasons with Montreal, Hamrlík signed as a free agent on a two-year, $7 million contract with the Washington Capitals on July 1, 2011.[1] In his second season with Washington during the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season, Hamrlik was limited to just four games as a reserve defenceman before he was ultimately placed on waivers by the team on March 5, 2013.[2] He was claimed by the New York Rangers on March 6, 2013.[3]

Hamrlík announced his retirement from professional hockey on October 21, 2013.[4]

Hamrlík was inducted into the Czech Ice Hockey Hall of Fame on January 22, 2019.

Personal life

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Hamrlík has an older brother, Martin Hamrlík, who was drafted by the Hartford Whalers in 1991, but never played in the NHL. Martin Hamrlík played principally for PSG Zlín, retiring in 2013.

Hamrlík and his wife Cynthia have a son (James, who died in 2021) and daughter (Billie Rose) together.[5]

Career statistics

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Hamrlík as a member of the Calgary Flames

Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1990–91 AC ZPS Zlín CSSR 15 2 2 4 18
1991–92 AC ZPS Zlín CSSR 34 5 5 10 50
1992–93 Atlanta Knights IHL 2 1 1 2 2
1992–93 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 67 6 15 21 71
1993–94 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 64 3 18 21 135
1994–95 AC ZPS Zlín CZE 2 1 0 1 10
1994–95 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 48 12 11 23 86
1995–96 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 82 16 49 65 103 5 0 1 1 4
1996–97 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 79 12 28 40 57
1997–98 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 37 3 12 15 22
1997–98 Edmonton Oilers NHL 41 6 20 26 48 12 0 6 6 12
1998–99 Edmonton Oilers NHL 75 8 24 32 70 3 0 0 0 2
1999–00 HC Barum Continental Zlín CZE 6 0 3 3 4
1999–00 Edmonton Oilers NHL 80 8 37 45 68 5 0 1 1 4
2000–01 New York Islanders NHL 76 16 30 46 92
2001–02 New York Islanders NHL 70 11 26 37 78 7 1 6 7 6
2002–03 New York Islanders NHL 73 9 32 41 87 5 0 2 2 2
2003–04 New York Islanders NHL 81 7 22 29 68 5 0 1 1 2
2004–05 HC Hamé Zlín CZE 45 2 14 16 70 17 1 3 4 24
2005–06 Calgary Flames NHL 51 7 19 26 56 7 0 2 2 2
2006–07 Calgary Flames NHL 75 7 31 38 88 6 0 1 1 8
2007–08 Montreal Canadiens NHL 77 5 21 26 38 12 1 2 3 8
2008–09 Montreal Canadiens NHL 81 6 27 33 62 4 0 0 0 2
2009–10 Montreal Canadiens NHL 75 6 20 26 56 19 0 9 9 15
2010–11 Montreal Canadiens NHL 79 5 29 34 81 7 0 3 3 6
2011–12 Washington Capitals NHL 68 2 11 13 34 14 1 3 4 12
2012–13 Washington Capitals NHL 4 0 1 1 2
2012–13 New York Rangers NHL 12 0 0 0 6 2 0 1 1 2
NHL totals 1,395 155 483 638 1,408 113 3 38 41 87

International

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Medal record
Representing   Czech Republic
Ice hockey
Winter Olympics
  1998 Nagano
Representing   Czech Republic
European Junior Championships
  1991 Czechoslovakia
  1992 Norway
Year Team Event   GP G A Pts PIM
1991 Czechoslovakia EJC 5 0 3 3 2
1992 Czechoslovakia EJC 6 1 1 2 8
1992 Czechoslovakia WJC 7 3 0 3 8
1994 Czech Republic WC 1 0 0 0 2
1996 Czech Republic WCH 3 0 0 0 4
1998 Czech Republic OG 6 1 0 1 2
2002 Czech Republic OG 4 0 1 1 2
2004 Czech Republic WCH 4 0 2 2 0
2004 Czech Republic WC 7 0 0 0 0
Junior totals 18 4 4 8 18
Senior totals 25 1 3 4 10

Awards

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "NHL Free Agent Tracker". The Sports Network. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  2. ^ "Capitals Waive Roman Hamrlik". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Rangers claim Roman Hamrlik". ESPN. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  4. ^ "NHL veteran Hamrlik retires after 20 seasons".
  5. ^ "Living life to the fullest". NHL.com. June 17, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
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Preceded by NHL first overall draft pick
1992
Succeeded by
Preceded by
None
Tampa Bay Lightning first round draft pick
1992
Succeeded by