Petr Sýkora
Encyclopedia
Petr Sýkora (ˈpɛtr̩ ˈsiːkora; born November 19, 1976) is a Czech
professional ice hockey
right winger for the New Jersey Devils
of the National Hockey League
(NHL). Sýkora has previously played in the NHL for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
, New York Rangers
, Edmonton Oilers
, Pittsburgh Penguins
and Minnesota Wild
. He is a two-time Stanley Cup
champion, having won with the Devils in 2000
and the Penguins in 2009
. Sýkora has played in five Stanley Cup Finals
total.
and the International Hockey League (IHL). As a Cleveland Lumberjack
, Sýkora became the youngest player ever to play in the IHL at 17 years and 71 days.
In the 1995 NHL Entry Draft
, Sýkora was drafted in the first round, 18th overall, by the New Jersey Devils
. Sýkora began his NHL career in 1995–96 with New Jersey, posting 42 points in his rookie campaign, as well as being chosen as the NHL Rookie of the Month for December. His career took off in his fourth NHL season, recording a breakout 72 points, which still stands as the second highest total of his career. As part of the Devils' effective "A-line", with Patrik Eliáš
and Jason Arnott
, he helped lead the team to a Stanley Cup in 2000
against the Dallas Stars
. However, in the sixth and deciding game in Dallas
, Sýkora suffered an injury and ended up in the hospital. When the Devils won the game to win the Stanley Cup, Devils head coach Larry Robinson
and linemate Patrik Eliáš, wore Sýkora's jersey for him. The team also brought the trophy to Sykora in the hospital. The next season, Sýkora and the Devils were only a game away from repeating as Stanley Cup champions, but lost in the seventh game to the Colorado Avalanche
. That year, Sýkora recorded career highs with 35 goals, 46 assists and 81 points.
However, the next season, Sýkora's offensive production dropped to just 48 points, and the before the start of the 2002–03 season, he was traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
for forward Jeff Friesen
and defenceman Oleg Tverdovsky
. In his first season with Anaheim, Sýkora appeared in his third Stanley Cup final, but lost to his former Devils teammates. En route to the finals, he scored the game-winning quintuple-overtime goal in the fourth-longest playoff game in NHL history in Game 1 of the conference semi-finals against the Dallas Stars.
While the 2004–05 NHL lockout was in effect, Sýkora played for Metallurg Magnitogorsk
of the Russian Super League, scoring 31 points in 45 games. As NHL play resumed in 2005–06, Sýkora requested to be traded from Anaheim and on January 9, 2006, the New York Rangers
acquired Sýkora in exchange for young defenceman Maxim Kondratiev
and the return of a 4th round draft pick the Rangers had previously traded to Anaheim.
After completing the season with New York, it was announced on July 7, 2006, that Sýkora would not return to the Rangers, and he was subsequently signed to a one-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers
. On a line with countryman Ales Hemsky
, Sýkora maintained the previous few seasons' scoring output and managed 53 points.
In July 2007, Sýkora signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins
as an unrestricted free agent. After initially playing with Sidney Crosby
, Sýkora was later lined up with Evgeni Malkin
after Crosby suffered an injury towards the end of the season. Benefiting from his high-caliber linemates, Sýkora enjoyed his best offensive season since 2000–01, tallying 63 points.
Reaching the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals
against the Detroit Red Wings
, Sýkora scored a triple-overtime goal on the powerplay in game five after previously telling on-ice reporter Pierre McGuire
he would score the game-winner. With the Penguins down 3-1 in the series, Sýkora's goal forced a game six. However, the Penguins could not stave off elimination for a second straight game and lost the Cup to Detroit. The series marked Sýkora's fourth time playing in a Stanley Cup final.
The following season, on December 11, 2008, Sýkora scored his 8th, 9th, and 10th goals of the season for his first career NHL hat trick
against the New York Islanders
at Mellon Arena
. Sýkora had previously recorded 38 career two-goal games in his career, the all-time NHL record for most two-goal games without a single hat trick. Later that season, on April 7, 2009, Sýkora scored his 300th career NHL goal in a 6-4 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning
. In early-May 2009, Sykora began struggling with a shoulder injury. He finished his second season in Pittsburgh with 25 goals and 46 points over 76 games. Bolstering their lineup at the trade deadline, the Penguins acquired wingers Bill Guerin
and Chris Kunitz
, resulting in decreased ice time for Skyora. During the 2009 playoffs
, he was regularly made a healthy scratch. He played in 7 of the Penguins' 24 post-season games as the team returned to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Red Wings for the second straight year. Sykora made his first appearance of the series in Game 6, but injured his right foot blocking a shot six minutes into the contest. Sidelined for the deciding Game 7, he forced his swelled foot into a skate to join the Penguins on the ice for their post-game celebration after defeating the Red Wings 2–1. Although Sykora won the trophy with the Devils in 2000, he was unable to lift the Stanley Cup after a hit sent him to the hospital the night of the victory.
In the off-season, Sýkora was not re-signed by the Penguins and he became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2009. Without an NHL contract, Sýkora accepted a tryout with the Minnesota Wild
on September 14. Three days later, the Wild signed him to a one-year, $1.6 million contract on September 17. He suffered a concussion early in the 2009–10 season
, however, and was sidelined for two months. Through 14 games, he had recorded just three points and was placed on waivers by the Wild on January 19, 2010. On January 28, the Wild announced that Sýkora had cleared unconditional waivers officially making him an unrestricted free agent.
Without an NHL contract, Sykora returned to Europe, signing with HC Plzen to start the 2010–11 season. After recording 13 points (5 goals and 7 assists) over 13 games while playing on a line with Martin Straka
and Jan Kovar
, hesigned a tryout contract with Dinamo Minsk
of the Kontinental Hockey League
on November 11, 2010. Over 28 games in the KHL, he scored 8 goals and 15 points.
On September 12, 2011, it was announced that Sykora would attend the New Jersey Devils training camp on a tryout, hoping to return to the team that drafted him into the NHL. On October 5, 2011, he signed a one-year contract with the Devils worth $650,000.
, Sýkora was selected to play for the Czech Republic in the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where the team placed fourth. Two years later, Sýkora also represented the Czech Republic in the 2004 World Cup
. However, his greatest achievement on an international level came the following year during the 2005 World Championships
, in which Sýkora helped lead the Czechs to the finals to play Team Canada. The Czechs beat Canada 3-0, marking Sýkora's first gold medal
in an international tournament.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
right winger for the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). Sýkora has previously played in the NHL for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
, Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
, Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
and Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. He is a two-time Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
champion, having won with the Devils in 2000
2000 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2000 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began in April, and concluded in June. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions ...
and the Penguins in 2009
2009 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 15, 2009, after the 2008–09 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference , play a best-of-seven series for the conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and...
. Sýkora has played in five Stanley Cup Finals
Stanley Cup Finals
The Stanley Cup Finals is the championship series to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, emblematic of the professional club championship of ice hockey. Although the Cup itself has existed since 1893, an annual championship series between professional teams was not established until 1913...
total.
Playing career
Before being drafted, Sýkora spent several seasons in the Czechoslovak ExtraligaCzechoslovak Extraliga
The Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League was the elite ice hockey league in Czechoslovakia from 1930 until 1993, when the country split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Slovak Extraliga and Czech Extraliga formed from the split.-See also:...
and the International Hockey League (IHL). As a Cleveland Lumberjack
Cleveland Lumberjacks
The Cleveland Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Facts:The Cleveland Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Facts:...
, Sýkora became the youngest player ever to play in the IHL at 17 years and 71 days.
In the 1995 NHL Entry Draft
1995 NHL Entry Draft
The 1995 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Edmonton Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta. The drafting order was now set partially by a lottery system whereby teams would not be guaranteed first pick if they finished last. Instead, a draft lottery was instituted in which the winner of the lottery could move...
, Sýkora was drafted in the first round, 18th overall, by the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Sýkora began his NHL career in 1995–96 with New Jersey, posting 42 points in his rookie campaign, as well as being chosen as the NHL Rookie of the Month for December. His career took off in his fourth NHL season, recording a breakout 72 points, which still stands as the second highest total of his career. As part of the Devils' effective "A-line", with Patrik Eliáš
Patrik Elias
Patrik Eliáš is a Czech professional hockey left winger and alternate captain for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League . A long-time Devil and currently the team's longest-tenured skater, Eliáš is the franchise's all-time leading scorer, while also holding franchise records for most...
and Jason Arnott
Jason Arnott
Jason William Arnott is a professional ice hockey centre for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. He began his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers in 1993–94 after being selected seventh overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team...
, he helped lead the team to a Stanley Cup in 2000
2000 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2000 Stanley Cup Finals was contested by the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils and the Western Conference and defending Stanley Cup champion Dallas Stars. The Devils were led by captain Scott Stevens, coach Larry Robinson and goalie Martin Brodeur...
against the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
. However, in the sixth and deciding game in Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, Sýkora suffered an injury and ended up in the hospital. When the Devils won the game to win the Stanley Cup, Devils head coach Larry Robinson
Larry Robinson
Larry Clark Robinson is a former ice hockey player and coach in the National Hockey League. Robinson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995 and is currently the defensive coach for the New Jersey Devils...
and linemate Patrik Eliáš, wore Sýkora's jersey for him. The team also brought the trophy to Sykora in the hospital. The next season, Sýkora and the Devils were only a game away from repeating as Stanley Cup champions, but lost in the seventh game to the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
. That year, Sýkora recorded career highs with 35 goals, 46 assists and 81 points.
However, the next season, Sýkora's offensive production dropped to just 48 points, and the before the start of the 2002–03 season, he was traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
for forward Jeff Friesen
Jeff Friesen
Jeff Daryl Friesen is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently a Free Agent. He most recently played with Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.-Playing career:...
and defenceman Oleg Tverdovsky
Oleg Tverdovsky
Oleh Fedorovych "Oleg" Tverdovsky is a Ukrainian-Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League .-Early years:...
. In his first season with Anaheim, Sýkora appeared in his third Stanley Cup final, but lost to his former Devils teammates. En route to the finals, he scored the game-winning quintuple-overtime goal in the fourth-longest playoff game in NHL history in Game 1 of the conference semi-finals against the Dallas Stars.
While the 2004–05 NHL lockout was in effect, Sýkora played for Metallurg Magnitogorsk
Metallurg Magnitogorsk
Metallurg Magnitogorsk is a professional ice hockey team based in Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia. They are members of the Kharlamov Division of the Kontinental Hockey League...
of the Russian Super League, scoring 31 points in 45 games. As NHL play resumed in 2005–06, Sýkora requested to be traded from Anaheim and on January 9, 2006, the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
acquired Sýkora in exchange for young defenceman Maxim Kondratiev
Maxim Kondratiev
Maxim Valerievich Kondratiev is a professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League...
and the return of a 4th round draft pick the Rangers had previously traded to Anaheim.
After completing the season with New York, it was announced on July 7, 2006, that Sýkora would not return to the Rangers, and he was subsequently signed to a one-year deal with the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. On a line with countryman Ales Hemsky
Ales Hemsky
Aleš Hemský is a Czech professional ice hockey forward and alternate captain currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League .-HC Pardubice:...
, Sýkora maintained the previous few seasons' scoring output and managed 53 points.
In July 2007, Sýkora signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
as an unrestricted free agent. After initially playing with Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
, Sýkora was later lined up with Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni "Geno" Vladimirovich Malkin is a Russian professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League ....
after Crosby suffered an injury towards the end of the season. Benefiting from his high-caliber linemates, Sýkora enjoyed his best offensive season since 2000–01, tallying 63 points.
Reaching the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals
2008 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2008 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series that determined the National Hockey League champion for the 2007–08 season. As a culmination of the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings defeated the Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh...
against the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
, Sýkora scored a triple-overtime goal on the powerplay in game five after previously telling on-ice reporter Pierre McGuire
Pierre McGuire
Pierre McGuire , is an ice hockey analyst for National Hockey League broadcasts on NBC and Versus in the United States. Until 2011, he was a prominent hockey analyst on The Sports Network in Canada. Previously, he was a player, coach, and scout.-Hockey career:McGuire won two Stanley Cups as a scout...
he would score the game-winner. With the Penguins down 3-1 in the series, Sýkora's goal forced a game six. However, the Penguins could not stave off elimination for a second straight game and lost the Cup to Detroit. The series marked Sýkora's fourth time playing in a Stanley Cup final.
Hat Trick
Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
against the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
at Mellon Arena
Mellon Arena
Civic Arena is an indoor arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that is currently undergoing demolition. It was the first retractable roof major sports venue in the world, covering 170,000 sq. feet and constructed with just shy of 3,000 tons of Pittsburgh steel...
. Sýkora had previously recorded 38 career two-goal games in his career, the all-time NHL record for most two-goal games without a single hat trick. Later that season, on April 7, 2009, Sýkora scored his 300th career NHL goal in a 6-4 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
. In early-May 2009, Sykora began struggling with a shoulder injury. He finished his second season in Pittsburgh with 25 goals and 46 points over 76 games. Bolstering their lineup at the trade deadline, the Penguins acquired wingers Bill Guerin
Bill Guerin
William Robert Guerin is an American former professional ice hockey player and current player development coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Guerin played eighteen seasons in the National Hockey League winning two Stanley Cup championships with the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins teams...
and Chris Kunitz
Chris Kunitz
Christopher Kunitz is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . He has previously played for the Atlanta Thrashers and Anaheim Ducks, the latter with whom he won a Stanley Cup in 2007...
, resulting in decreased ice time for Skyora. During the 2009 playoffs
2009 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 15, 2009, after the 2008–09 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference , play a best-of-seven series for the conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and...
, he was regularly made a healthy scratch. He played in 7 of the Penguins' 24 post-season games as the team returned to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Red Wings for the second straight year. Sykora made his first appearance of the series in Game 6, but injured his right foot blocking a shot six minutes into the contest. Sidelined for the deciding Game 7, he forced his swelled foot into a skate to join the Penguins on the ice for their post-game celebration after defeating the Red Wings 2–1. Although Sykora won the trophy with the Devils in 2000, he was unable to lift the Stanley Cup after a hit sent him to the hospital the night of the victory.
In the off-season, Sýkora was not re-signed by the Penguins and he became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2009. Without an NHL contract, Sýkora accepted a tryout with the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
on September 14. Three days later, the Wild signed him to a one-year, $1.6 million contract on September 17. He suffered a concussion early in the 2009–10 season
2009–10 NHL season
The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010...
, however, and was sidelined for two months. Through 14 games, he had recorded just three points and was placed on waivers by the Wild on January 19, 2010. On January 28, the Wild announced that Sýkora had cleared unconditional waivers officially making him an unrestricted free agent.
Without an NHL contract, Sykora returned to Europe, signing with HC Plzen to start the 2010–11 season. After recording 13 points (5 goals and 7 assists) over 13 games while playing on a line with Martin Straka
Martin Straka
Martin Straka is a Czech ice hockey centre who plays for HC Plzeň 1929 of the Czech Extraliga. He is also the club's general manager and co-owner.-Playing career:...
and Jan Kovar
Jan Kovar
Jan Kovář is a Czech professional ice hockey player. He played with HC Plzeň in the Czech Extraliga during the 2010–11 Czech Extraliga season.-External links:...
, hesigned a tryout contract with Dinamo Minsk
Dinamo Minsk
Dinamo Minsk may refer to:*FC Dinamo Minsk - Minsk football club*HC Dinamo Minsk - Minsk hockey club...
of the Kontinental Hockey League
Kontinental Hockey League
The Kontinental Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league in Eurasia founded in 2008. As of 2009, it is ranked as the strongest hockey league in Europe....
on November 11, 2010. Over 28 games in the KHL, he scored 8 goals and 15 points.
On September 12, 2011, it was announced that Sykora would attend the New Jersey Devils training camp on a tryout, hoping to return to the team that drafted him into the NHL. On October 5, 2011, he signed a one-year contract with the Devils worth $650,000.
International play
In 20022002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
, Sýkora was selected to play for the Czech Republic in the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where the team placed fourth. Two years later, Sýkora also represented the Czech Republic in the 2004 World Cup
2004 World Cup of Hockey
The 2004 World Cup of Hockey was an international ice hockey tournament. It was the second installment of the National Hockey League -sanctioned competition eight years after the inaugural 1996 World Cup of Hockey. It was held from August 30 to September 14, 2004, and took place in various venues...
. However, his greatest achievement on an international level came the following year during the 2005 World Championships
2005 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
The 2005 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held March 7 - May 15, 2005, in 7 cities in 6 countries: Vienna and Innsbruck, Austria ; Debrecen, Hungary ; Eindhoven, the Netherlands ; Zagreb, Croatia ; Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro ; Mexico City, Mexico...
, in which Sýkora helped lead the Czechs to the finals to play Team Canada. The Czechs beat Canada 3-0, marking Sýkora's first gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
in an international tournament.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1991–92 | Plzeň Jr HC Lasselsberger Plzen HC Plzeň 1929 is an ice hockey team in the Czech Extraliga. Their home arena is ČEZ Aréna in Plzeň.- Club names :* 1929 – Hokejový odbor při SK Viktoria Plzeň* 1948 – Sokol Plzeň IV* 1949 – ZSJ Škodovy závody* 1952 – ZSJ Leninovy závody... |
Czech-Jr. Czechoslovak Extraliga The Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League was the elite ice hockey league in Czechoslovakia from 1930 until 1993, when the country split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Slovak Extraliga and Czech Extraliga formed from the split.-See also:... |
30 | 50 | 50 | 100 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | HC Lasselsberger Plzeň | Czech | 19 | 12 | 5 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | HC Lasselsberger Plzeň | CzRep | 37 | 10 | 16 | 26 | — | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Cleveland Lumberjacks Cleveland Lumberjacks The Cleveland Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Facts:The Cleveland Lumberjacks were an International Hockey League team based in Cleveland, Ohio.-Facts:... |
IHL | 13 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Detroit Vipers Detroit Vipers The Detroit Vipers was an International Hockey League team. The team was founded in 1994, and played at The Palace of Auburn Hills.-Beginning:... |
IHL | 29 | 12 | 17 | 29 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 1995–96 AHL season The 1995–96 AHL season was the 60th season of the American Hockey League. The AHL expands by two teams and realigns into two conferences, and four divisions. The Northern Conference includes the North and Atlantic Divisions... |
Albany River Rats Albany River Rats The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
5 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | New Jersey Devils New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 63 | 18 | 24 | 42 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 1996–97 AHL season The 1996–97 AHL season was the 61st season of the American Hockey League. The league renames its divisions due to relocating teams. The Northern Conferences consists of the Atlantic Division becoming the Canadian Division, and the Central Division becoming the Empire State Division... |
Albany River Rats | AHL | 43 | 20 | 25 | 45 | 48 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | ||
| 1996–97 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 19 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1997–98 1997–98 AHL season The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western... |
Albany River Rats | AHL | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 58 | 16 | 20 | 36 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1998–99 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 80 | 29 | 43 | 72 | 22 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | ||
| 1999–00 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 79 | 25 | 43 | 68 | 26 | 23 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 10 | ||
| 2000–01 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 73 | 35 | 46 | 81 | 32 | 25 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 12 | ||
| 2001–02 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 73 | 21 | 27 | 48 | 44 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2002–03 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | NHL | 82 | 34 | 25 | 59 | 24 | 21 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 12 | ||
| 2003–04 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | NHL | 81 | 23 | 29 | 52 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | Metallurg Magnitogorsk Metallurg Magnitogorsk Metallurg Magnitogorsk is a professional ice hockey team based in Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia. They are members of the Kharlamov Division of the Kontinental Hockey League... |
RSL | 45 | 18 | 13 | 31 | 44 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | ||
| 2005–06 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | NHL | 34 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
NHL | 40 | 16 | 15 | 31 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07 | Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... |
NHL | 82 | 22 | 31 | 53 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... |
NHL | 81 | 28 | 35 | 63 | 41 | 20 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 16 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 76 | 25 | 21 | 46 | 36 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Minnesota Wild Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... |
NHL | 14 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | HC Plzen | Czech Czech Extraliga The Czech Extraliga is the highest-level ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. As of 2009, it is ranked by the IIHF as the third strongest league in Europe.... |
13 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 KHL season The 2010–11 KHL season is the third season of the Kontinental Hockey League. It was held from 8 September 2010 and ended on 16 April 2011.The season started with the Opening Cup game between the last season's finalists, Ak Bars Kazan and the new team that was created by merging last season's... |
HC Dynamo Minsk | KHL | 28 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 58 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | ||
| NHL totals | 935 | 302 | 375 | 677 | 415 | 115 | 32 | 37 | 69 | 56 | ||||