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Radim Vrbata (born June 13, 1981 in Mladá Boleslav, Czechoslovakia) is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently with the Phoenix Coyotes of the NHL.
[edit] Playing careerVrbata was drafted in the 8th round, 212th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He won the 2001 World Junior Championship and the 2005 World Championships with the Czech Republic. In March, 2003 Vrbata was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Bates Battaglia. He was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes by the Chicago Blackhawks on December 30, 2005 for future considerations. After two subpar seasons in Chicago, he was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes on August 11, 2007 for Kevyn Adams. During his 1st year in Phoenix, he set career highs in goals, and assists, and lead the team in scoring. On July 1, 2008, Vrbata, as a free agent, signed a three-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.[1] After starting the 2008-09 season out of form and citing confidence issues, and the fact that his wife was having difficulty during pregnancy, Vrbata asked, and was granted permission to return home to the Czech Republic on December 8, 2008.[2] On January 2, 2009 he joined hometown team, BK Mladá Boleslav[3]. Vrbata's stint with Boleslav was cut short when he was sent on loan to HC Bílí Tygři Liberec on January 29, 2009.[4] After finishing the season in the Czech Republic, Vrbata advised the Lightning he intended to return to the NHL for the second year of his contract in the 2009-10 season. Having filled Vrbata's roster spot the Lightning had no interests in retaining Vrbata and his agent, Rich Evans, was given permission to work out a trade.[5] On July 21, 2009, Vrbata was traded by the Lightning back to the Coyotes in exchange for David Hale and Todd Fedoruk[6] for a second stint with the team. Vrbata is from the same city as former Blackhawks teammate Martin Havlát, Mladá Boleslav in the Czech Republic. [edit] Career statistics
[edit] International play
Played for the Czech Republic in:
[edit] International statistics
[edit] References
[edit] External links
Categories: 1981 births | Living people | Czech ice hockey players | Colorado Avalanche draft picks | Colorado Avalanche players | Carolina Hurricanes players | Chicago Blackhawks players | Hershey Bears players | Hull Olympiques alumni | Phoenix Coyotes players | Shawinigan Cataractes alumni | Tampa Bay Lightning players | Czech ice hockey biography stubs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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