Dominik Hašek

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Image:Dominikhasek.jpg
Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
Nickname	The Dominator, Dom
Height Weight	5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) 166 lb (75 kg)
NHL Team F. Teams	Detroit Red Wings Ottawa Senators Buffalo Sabres Chicago Blackhawks
Nationality	Czech Republic
Born	January 29, 1965, Pardubice, CS
NHL Draft	199th overall, 1983 Chicago Blackhawks
Pro Career	1990(NHL) – present

Dominik Hašek (born January 29, 1965 in Pardubice, Czechoslovakia, now Czech Republic), also known by his nicknames The Dominator and Dom, is a professional NHL goaltender currently signed by the Detroit Red Wings. He has also played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, and the Ottawa Senators. His highly unorthodox style created doubts about his potential, but his acrobatic play and extraordinary reflexes backstopped him to a successful career. In an 8 season span (1994-2001) he won 6 Vezina Trophies. Wayne Gretzky once said, "I think [Hašek] is the best player in the game,"^{[citation needed]} and Hašek is often referred to as a future Hall of Famer by those in the hockey world. ^[1] He is the oldest active goalie in the NHL at 41, and is the second oldest active player in the league, after Chris Chelios, also of the Red Wings.

[edit] Pronunciation

The correct pronunciation of his name is (in IPA) ['dαmənək 'hæʃək], or dah-mə-nək hah-shək (or, replacing the schwa with an approximate pronunciation of "uh", "dah-muh-nuhk hah-shuhk").

[edit] Playing career

[edit] Early years

Hašek was born in Czechoslovakia and consequently not allowed to play in North America. When communist rule ended, the borders opened, and Hašek was able to emigrate to North America to play in the NHL.

Hašek was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1983. Despite being a very talented player, he was selected as a deep pick as a 10th round choice and 199th overall. This was mainly due to the unwillingness of NHL teams to draft players from behind the Iron Curtain as players' countries often barred them from playing in the NHL, or the players themselves preferred not to go. In fact, it would be several months until Hašek would find out he was even drafted.^[2] His debut with the Blackhawks finally came in the 1990-91 season.

From 1981 to 1990, Hašek played in his native Czechoslovakia, for elite league teams HC Pardubice and HC Jihlava. He also played parts of two seasons in the IHL with the Indianapolis Ice.

He was named the top player in the country in 1987, 1989, and 1990. He was also named Czechoslovakian Goaltender of the Year from 1986 through 1990.^[3]

[edit] NHL beginnings

In Chicago, Hašek spent time as the backup to Ed Belfour, and only played 25 games over two seasons with the Blackhawks. He made his NHL debut on November 6, 1990, in a game against the Hartford Whalers. He recorded his first shutout against the Toronto Maple Leafs that year.

On August 7, 1992, Hašek was traded to the Buffalo Sabres for goalie Stephane Beauregard and future considerations, which later materialized into a draft pick used to obtain Eric Daze. In Buffalo, he was initially the backup goaltender, first playing behind Tom Draper and then Grant Fuhr. When Fuhr was injured partway through the season, Hašek was elevated to starter, where he started his career and developed into a top goaltender.

[edit] Rise to fame

In 1994, Hašek won his first Vezina Trophy, and he shared the William M. Jennings Trophy with teammate Grant Fuhr. Hašek played 58 games with a league best 1.95 GAA, seven shutouts, and a .930 save percentage. He again won the Vezina Trophy the following season.

[edit] Conflict with Coach Nolan

1998: Dominik Hasek with the Vezina Trophy, left, and Hart Trophy, right. Hasek also won the Lester B. Pearson Award that year. He eventually won the Hart, Pearson, and Vezina the following year.

The regular season success in the 1996-97 season was all overshadowed by what took place during the playoffs. Tensions between Sabres head coach Ted Nolan and Hašek had been high for most of the season, however, after being scored upon in game three of the first-round against the Ottawa Senators, Hašek left the game, forcing backup Steve Shields to step in. Hašek claimed he felt his knee pop, and the team doctor pronounced him day-to-day. Being integral to the Sabres' Cup run, the media speculated that Hašek was not doing his utmost to return from the injury because he was at odds with Nolan. Buffalo News columnist Jim Kelley wrote a column that night for the next day's newspaper that detailed the day's events, which irked Hašek. After the Senators won game five, Hašek came out of the Sabres' training room and allegedly attacked Kelley, choking him and tearing his shirt. Despite issuing an apology, things went downhill afterwards. Shields starred as the Sabres rallied to win the series against Ottawa.

Before the next series against the Philadelphia Flyers, the NHL announced that Hasek had been suspended for three games — with the Sabres informing the league that Hašek was healthy (Hašek most likely would not have been suspended had he not been cleared to play). Set to return in game four with the team down by three games in the series, Hašek told the Sabres' coaching staff he felt a twinge in his knee and left the ice after the pregame skate. Shields turned in another season-saving performance as Buffalo staved off the almost inevitable sweeping elimination with a win. Again before the fifth game, Hašek declared himself unfit to play and Buffalo lost 6-3, losing the series in five games.

Though General Manager John Muckler was named Executive of the Year, he was fired for his constant feuding with Nolan. Hašek, who sided with Muckler, stating in an interview during 1997 NHL Awards Ceremony that "it would be better for me if he (Nolan) did not return". Ted Nolan did not return the next year, despite winning the Jack Adams Award as top coach. Hašek again won the Vezina Trophy, and also won the Lester B. Pearson Award and the Hart Trophy. At the time, he was only the second goalie to ever win the Hart, along with Jacques Plante.

Back in Buffalo, he set a team record with 13 shutouts in the 1997-98 season. He played a career high 72 games, and posted the second most shutouts in a month, with six in December 1997. He again won the Lester B. Pearson Award, Hart Trophy, and Vezina Trophy. He became the first and only goalie to win the Hart twice, as well as in consecutive seasons.

[edit] Stanley Cup Finals

In 1999, he posted a career best 1.87 GAA and .937 save percentage, easily capturing him his third consecutive Vezina, while he also finished runner-up for the Hart and Pearson Trophies. Though the Sabres did not have a stellar regular season, he carried them through in the playoffs, knocking off the Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, and Toronto Maple Leafs along the way; the Bruins' Byron Dafoe and the Leafs' Curtis Joseph would be Vezina finalists along with Hašek. His team met the Presidents' Trophy winning Dallas Stars in the championship series; Hašek helped the Sabres to win game one in the Stars' home arena. However, the Stars took the next two and though the Sabres won game four, the Stars would close out the series to claim the Stanley Cup. The decisive game six was notable; Hašek and Ed Belfour made 50 and 53 saves, respectively, in a triple-overtime duel that only ended when Brett Hull controversially scored the Cup-winning goal with his foot in the crease.

After the season ended, Hašek contemplated retirement due to a combination of injuries and a desire to become more involved in his family life.^[4] His initial announcement that he was considering quitting hockey stunned many of his teammates, particularly Mike Peca and Jason Woolley.^[4]

The 1999-00 season was not successful, due to persistent injuries. He failed to win a major NHL award for the first time in several seasons, though his backup Martin Biron was allowed to blossom in his absence. Despite being healthy in time for the playoffs, the Sabres lost in five games to the Philadelphia Flyers during the first round.

In the 2000-01 season, Hašek played his final year in Buffalo. For the sixth time, he won the Vezina. He also won his second William M. Jennings Trophy. The Sabres were again matched up with Philadelphia in the first round; this time Hasek outplayed Czeck compatriot Roman Cechmanek and blanked the Flyers 8-0 in the deciding game six. The second round was a dramatic series against Mario Lemieux's Pittsburgh Penguins and it went all the way to seven games before the Penguins advanced on an overtime winner.

[edit] Late career

Before the start 2001-02 NHL season, Hašek was traded to the Detroit Red Wings for Vyacheslav Kozlov, a first round selection in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, which eventually became Jim Slater, and future considerations.

During the 2001-02 season, Hašek posted a career high with 41 wins. In June 2002, Hašek won the Stanley Cup with Detroit. Hašek also became the first goalie to get an assist on an overtime game-winning goal in the post-season, earning a second assist when Steve Yzerman passed to Fredrik Olausson, who then scored. He also held the record for most shutouts in the post-season with 6, until Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils tied it in 2003.

That summer Hašek announced his retirement. However, after watching Detroit's first round loss to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the 2003 playoffs, he announced his intent to play again.^{[citation needed]} The Red Wings already had Curtis Joseph signed to a lucrative contract, and Joseph's underachievement the previous season made him virtually impossible to trade to make room for Hašek and his salary. However, knowing that the rival Colorado Avalanche would be looking for a goalie since Patrick Roy retired, Detroit was forced to sign Hašek.^{[citation needed]} The Wings also had Manny Legacé, creating issues because all three goalies had the potential to be starters.

The 2003-04 season was problematic for Hašek, and he injured his groin after playing just 14 games. On January 9, 2004, he and the team agreed he should rest his injury for two to four weeks. At that time, he told general manager Ken Holland that he would not accept any pay while he was out injured. However, he did not make his refusal of pay public at that time.

On February 10, he announced that he was not going to continue to play that season, a decision that surprised Red Wings management.^[5] Then, on March 12, after Holland discussed Hašek's refusal of pay with reporters, Hašek made the issue public. He eventually refused $3 million (US) of his $6 million salary.^{[citation needed]} In April 2004, he underwent groin surgery in Prague, and returned to his hometown of Pardubice to recuperate.

After Hašek's contract with the Wings had expired, the Red Wings decided not to re-sign him. Hašek said that he wanted to join a club that could contend for the Stanley Cup, and specifically named the Ottawa Senators as a possibility. On July 6, 2004, the Senators signed Hašek to a one-year deal.

Hašek played very well until the Olympics; his GAA and save percentage were second best in the NHL. At the Olympics, he injured his right upper thigh making a save in the first match against Germany.^[6] Despite that, the Czech Republic finished in third place, and Hašek was awarded the bronze medal after playing 9 minutes and 25 seconds.

Hašek missed the rest of the NHL regular season and post-season despite several rumours that he would return in time for the playoffs. Hašek said that if he were to be re-signed, he would take a pay cut.^[7]

On July 31, 2006, at the age of 41, Hašek signed a one-year, $750,000 US contract with the Detroit Red Wings (with added bonuses if the team does well in the playoffs), joining them for the third time in his career.

On November 14th, 2006, Hasek's personal record shutout streak of 181 minutes, 17 seconds was broken by the Vancouver Canucks.

[edit] Style of play

Hašek presents one of the most unorthodox styles of goaltending in hockey.^{[8] [9]} He goes down on almost every shot, successfully covering the bottom of the net where most goals are scored. He flops around in his crease, sticking out his legs, arms or even his head - he is also known to drop his hockey stick to cover the puck with his blocking glove.^[10]

He has become a goaltending pioneer by introducing several new saves. One of his most notable is the "Hašek Roll", where he folds into a 'C' shape, covering the bottom of the net.^{[citation needed]} He was also one of the first goalies to lay flat on their stomach with their pads outstretched to the sides to make saves.

Hašek's style has been known to attract fans to games. At 166 lbs, he is extremely flexible. Because of his very loose joints, Hašek manages to make saves that other goalies would consider very difficult.

Among his strengths are excellent concentration and tremendous foot speed.

[edit] Off the ice

Hašek has two children, a son named Michal (born 1989) and a daughter named Dominika (born 1994). He divides much of his free time playing squash and inline hockey, but as a defenseman. He plays soccer recreationally, and has a brother Martin Hašek who plays for a Czech Republic soccer team AC Sparta Praha. He has a brand of sportswear named Dominator Clothing, which was launched shortly after the Nagano Olympics in 1998 and is very popular among Dominik's fans in the Czech Republic.^{[11] [12]}

In May 2001, Hašek founded the Dominik Hasek Sport & Scholarship Fund, and has donated over $1 million dollars to help underprivileged children in Buffalo play hockey.^[13][14]

On May 18, 2003, Hašek was involved in an incident which took place in an inline hockey match. He crosschecked Martin Sila while playing as a defender for Bonfire Strida. The prosecutor in the case, Lenka Strnadova, ruled two months later that there was no evidence Hašek intended bodily harm and recommended the case be treated as a misdemeanor, punishable only by fine ($95 USD maximum), rather than a felony where jail time would have been possible.^[15] Hašek's lawyer Pavel Jelinek announced in a statement that media reports about the incident were exaggerated, with Sila not having sustained any documented injuries. In October 2003, the country's top prosecutor overruled Strnadova, saying her ruling was unlawful because the case had not been properly investigated. The Pardubice prosecution then investigated the case again, and reached the same decision.^[16]

Hašek is also known to appreciate humor to keep team spirits up, and often jokes about his resemblance to Cosmo Kramer of Seinfeld.^[17]

On November 26, 2006, Mark Parisi's comic panel off the mark^[18] featured a punch line about Hašek's childhood.

[edit] Career statistics

[edit] Regular season

[edit] Playoffs

06-07 Detroit Red Wings

[edit] Other statistics

• Fourth most wins out of all active NHL goaltenders
• Six time leader of the NHL in save percentage
• Named to the NHL first All-star Team five times
• Ranks 10th in the NHL all-time in shutouts, and 18th all-time in wins.
• Most NHL shutouts in one month (six in 97-98)
• Personal best shutout streak of 181 minutes, 17 seconds^[19]

[edit] International play

Hašek's most memorable international performance came in the 1998 Olympics. He was stellar throughout the tournament, allowing six goals in total - only two of which were in the medal round. Hašek led the Czech team to the gold medal, shutting out the Russian team 1-0 in the final game. Hašek was overjoyed. After he won the gold, he was quoted saying "When the game ended, I just threw my stick. I was so happy. When I saw the flag go up, I saw my whole career flash before my eyes from the first time my parents took me to a game until now."^[20]

His play made him arguably one of the most popular figures in the Czech Republic; his reputation is comparable to that of then-president Václav Havel.^[21][22] He also helped to inspire an opera (aptly titled Nagano) about the Czech team's gold medal victory,^[23] and in 2003 NASA named an asteroid, (8217 Dominikhasek) in his honor.^[24]

In the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, he played for just 9:25, until he injured his right adductor muscle. His team managed to earn a bronze medal, which Hašek received as well.

[edit] International statistics

[edit] Awards

[edit] Transactions

• 1983 - Drafted by Chicago 199th overall
• 1992 - Traded to Buffalo for Stephane Beauregard and a fourth round pick (Eric Daze)
• 2001 - Traded to Detroit for Vyacheslav Kozlov, a first round pick in 2002 (Jim Slater) and future considerations
• 2004 - Signed as a UFA by Ottawa
• 2006 - Signed as a UFA by Detroit

[edit] Notes

[edit] See also

• List of NHL players
• List of NHL seasons

[edit] External links

• Hockey DB profile
• NHL player profile
• Comprehensive site about Dominik Hašek