Thursday, July 21, 2011

NHL New Jersey Devils #26 Patrik Elias


Profile Patrik Elias( born April 13, 1976) is a Czech professional hockey left winger and alternate captain for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has garnered much popularity for his puck-handling ability and ability to strike from any place on the ice. A long-time Devil, Patrik Eliasis the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, while also holding franchise records for most points in a season and most career game-winning goals . Patrik Eliasis also tied with Mats Sundin, Sergei Fedorov, and fellow Czech Jaromír Jágr for the most overtime goals scored in the NHL . Playing career Patrik Eliaswas drafted by the New Jersey Devils 51st overall (2nd round) in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. As part of the A Line with Petr Sykora and Jason Arnott, he helped lead the team to the 1999â€"2000 Stanley Cup championship. He assisted on Arnott’s Cup-clinching goal in double overtime in Game 6 at Dallas. The following year he scored a team record 96 points in the regular season, third best in the league. He also played a key role in helping New Jersey win the 2003 Stanley Cup. He was the winner of the 2009 Golden Hockey Stick as the world’s best Czech hockey player, ending Jaromír Jágr’s 4 year run. He scored his 300th career goal on December 12, 2009, against the Philadelphia Flyers. Patrik Elias has been named as the Captain of the Czech Republic men’s national ice hockey team. Despite a weak first half by the Devils during the 2010â€"11 season, Patrik Elias was selected to be the Devils sole representative during the 2011 NHL All-Star Game. This is his third all-star appearance, and he was eventually selected by Team Staal in the first ever NHL All-Star draft. During the beginning of 2011, Patrik along with teammates Brian Rolston and Dainus Zubrus, found instant chemistry when grouped together by Coach Lemaire. On February 19, 2011 Patrik recorded the 800th point of his career, with his third assist of the game against the Carolina Hurricanes. On April 1, 2011 Patrik scored his 8th career Hat Trick against the Philadelphia Flyers. Awards 1998: World championship Bronze medail, Czech Republic 1997â€"98: NHL All-Rookie team 1999â€"00: Stanley Cup champion, New Jersey Devils 1999â€"00: NHL All-Star Game participant 2000â€"01: NHL First All-Star team 2000â€"01: NHL Bud Light Plus/Minus Award (shared with Joe Sakic) 2001â€"02: NHL All-Star Game participant 2002â€"03: Stanley Cup champion, New Jersey Devils 2006: Olympic Bronze medal, Czech Republic 2011: NHL All-Star Game participant