“The Dominator”

Dominik Hašek (born January 29 1965) is a former Czech ice hockey goaltender. He played 16 seasons in NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators. Dominik Hašek is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion.

Early Career

Dominik Hašek joined the Czechoslovak Extraliga in 1980 with HC Pardubice – he was only 16. He played 9 seasons with HC Pardubice and won two titles in 1987 and 1989. Dominik Hašek played also one season with Dukla Jihlava (1989-90). Hašek was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks 1983, but at that time players were often barred by their countries. In 1990 he finally started his American career with the Indianapolis Ice of the IHL-league.

Chicago Blackhawks

Ed Belfour was number one goalie in the Chicago Blackhawks when Dominik Hašek arrives 1990. Hašek played only 25 games over two seasons with the Blackhawks. Chicago Blackhawks decided to trust Ed Belfour and they traded Dominik Hašek to the Buffalo Sabres 1992.

Buffalo Sabres

Dominik Hašek played 9 seasons with Buffalo Sabres (1992-2001). He started with backup of Grant Fuhr, but after some Fuhr’s injuries, Hašek took position of starting goalie. In 1994 Hašek won his first Vezina Trophy as a best goalie of NHL. Hašek won Vezina Trophy also 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001. Hasek was the best goalie of the NHL, but he did not win Stanley Cup with Buffalo. They were close in the 1998-99 season, but Dallas Stars took the Stanley Cup in the finals. Before the start of season 2001-02 Hašek was traded to the Detroit Red Wings.

Detroit Red Wings

Hašek was very good in his first season with Detroit Red Wings and they won the Stanley Cup 2002. After that Hašek announced his retirement and he won’t play at season 2002-03. However, after Detroit’s loss to the Anaheim, he surprisingly expressed his desire to play again. His return was not successful, because he injured his groin after 14 games and missed rest of the season.

Ottawa Senators and return to the Red Wings

Hašek announced his intention to play real Stanley Cup contender after his contract with Detroit expired. He signed to a one-year deal with Ottawa Senators and played season 2005-06 there. Hašek started season well, but at the Turin Winter Olympic he injured and missed rest of the season – Ottawa opted not to re-sign Hasek. On July 2006 Hašek joined Detroit for the second time. Detroit won Stanley Cup in season 2007-08, but Chris Osgood was the starting goalie. 9.6.2008 Hašek announced his retirement from the NHL.

Other interesting stuff

Dominik Hašek won two Hart Memorial Trophies (1997, 1998) for a NHL’s most valuable player, six Vezina Trophies for the best goalie of NHL (1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001). Dominik Hašek has been chosen to the NHL First All-Star Team 6 times (1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001). Dominik Hašek has many NHL-records and he still has the highest career save percent (.922). Dominik Hašek has one of the most impressive single-game performances by any player in NHL history – 27.4.1994 he made 70 saves in one game without allowing goal in a four overtime win against New Jersey Devils. It still stands, for the most saves in a game without allowing a goal in NHL.