Martin Straka (born September 3, 1972) is a Czech Republic former ice hockey center who most recently played for HC Plzeň 1929 of the Czech Extraliga. He is also the club's general manager and co-owner, having bought a 70% share of the team in 2009. EliteProspects.com: Martin Straka (staff profile) Straka played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1992 until 2008 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers.
In 1998-99 he set new career highs, logging 35 goals and 48 assists, but his second season was less successful, but he had established himself as one of the leagues premiere two-way players due to his explosive speed and on-ice vision. With the return of Mario Lemieux he would go on to have a career year during the 2000–2001 season for Pittsburgh as he amassed 27 goals and 95 points and in 82 games.
In the following season of 2001-02 his speedy reputation would be called into jeopardy after a season-ending injury in the form of a broken leg, an injury which would take him years to fully recover from. On November 30, 2003, in a cost-cutting move, the Penguins would deal Straka to the Los Angeles Kings for Russian prospect Sergei Anshakov and defenceman Martin Strbak. Straka would later sign as a free agent by the Rangers on August 2, 2005 and went on to have two productive 70 point seasons. On January 17, 2007, despite reports that he was considering retirement, Straka signed a one-year contract extension for the 2007–08 season.
On February 16, 2008 in a game against the Buffalo Sabres, Straka assisted on a goal to record his 700th NHL point.
He was a part of the gold medal-winning Olympic team at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. He also won gold in the 2005 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships in Vienna.
In July 2008, Straka returned home to the Czech Extraliga, signing a one-year deal with HC Lasselsberger Plzeň (now HC Plzeň 1929).
In the 2012–13 season, he won with HC Škoda Plzeň Czech Extraliga title. He scored a winning goal in 7th final play-off game versus PSG Zlín in second overtime.
On March 28, 2014, Straka announced his retirement from professional hockey.
1988–89 | TJ Škoda Plzeň | CSSR U18 | 42 | — |
1989–90 | TJ Škoda Plzeň | CSSR | — | — |
1990–91 | HC Škoda Plzeň | CSSR | 6 | — |
1991–92 | HC Škoda Plzeň | CSSR | 20 | — |
1992–93 | Cleveland Lumberjacks | IHL | 0 | — |
1992–93 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 29 | 2 |
1993–94 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 24 | 2 |
1994–95 | HC Interconnex Plzeň | Czech Extraliga | 18 | — |
1994–95 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 16 | — |
1994–95 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 0 | — |
1995–96 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 29 | — |
1995–96 | New York Islanders | NHL | 6 | — |
1995–96 | Florida Panthers | 6 | 2 | |
1996–97 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 12 | 0 |
1997–98 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 28 | 2 |
1998–99 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 26 | 6 |
1999–00 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 26 | 10 | |
2000–01 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 38 | 8 |
2001–02 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 0 | — |
2002–03 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 12 | — |
2003–04 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 16 | — |
2003–04 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 4 | — |
2004–05 | HC Lasselsberger Plzeň | CZE | 76 | — |
2005–06 | New York Rangers | NHL | 42 | 2 |
2006–07 | New York Rangers | NHL | 24 | 2 |
2007–08 | New York Rangers | NHL | 22 | 16 |
2008–09 | HC Lasselsberger Plzeň | CZE | 20 | 2 |
2009–10 | HC Plzeň 1929 | CZE | 32 | 4 |
2010–11 | HC Plzeň 1929 | CZE | 12 | 0 |
2011–12 | HC Plzeň 1929 | CZE | 20 | 4 |
2012–13 | HC Škoda Plzeň | CZE | 18 | 8 |
1990 | Czechoslovakia | EJC | 6 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
1991 | Czechoslovakia | WJC | 6 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 0 |
1992 | Czechoslovakia | WJC | 7 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 4 |
1994 | Czech Republic | WC | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
1996 | Czech Republic | WCH | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1998 | Czech Republic | OG | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
2003 | Czech Republic | WC | 9 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 4 |
2004 | Czech Republic | WC | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
2004 | Czech Republic | WCH | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
2005 | Czech Republic | WC | 9 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 |
2006 | Czech Republic | OG | 8 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
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