Zbynek MichalekZbynek Michalek was born in Czechoslovakia and played for the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL in 2000-2001 until the 2001-2002 season. He was never drafted into the NHL, but was acquired by the Minnesota Wild. Michalek played for the Houston Aeros of the AHL for the 2002-2003 season and a bit of the following season before being called up to play for Minnesota. He spent 22 games with Minnesota in 2003-2004 and then went back to Houston to play for the NHL lockout season. Michalek averaged around 24 points in each of his seasons in Houston and was a relatively average defenseman. He was acquired by the Phoenix Coyotes in August of 2005 and headed to the desert to play. Michalek started in Phoenix immediately and set career totals in the 2006-2007 season with 28 points in 82 games. He is an impact player with the Coyotes and is arguably the most reliable defender on the club. Michalek was the only regular defender to post a positive plus/minus ranking during Phoenix’s dismal 2005-2006 season and is usually a bright spot on a pretty poor hockey team. He will have a good career as a third or fourth defenseman and is learning to round out his game better to include more of an offensive upside. Michalek still struggles somewhat defensively with the game, too, but has good size and good potential that should lead to a complete player in a few more years. |
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Zbynek Michalek Stats
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