Guide Note

Professional hockey player Petr Sykora currently plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League.

Fast Facts

1. Born: November 19, 1976
2. Hometown: Pilsen, Czech Republic
3. Position: Right wing
4. Shoots: Left
5. 2000 Stanley Cup Champion
6. 2007: Signed as free agent with Pittsburgh Penguins

Prior to his NHL career, Sykora played for the HC Lasselsberger Plzen of the Czech Extraliga, or the Czech Elite League. Starting in 1994 he played one season in the now defunct International Hockey League. He was then drafted 28th overall in the 1995 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils. Sykora made his NHL debut with the Devils in the 1995 Stanley Cup Playoffs, playing a single game. He split the next three seasons between the Devils and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Albany River Rats. Sykora returned to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2000, as the Devils won the championship.

After two additional seasons in New Jersey plus playing in the 2002 Winter Olympics, Sykora was traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on July 6, 2002. Sykora helped the Ducks reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003, where they were defeated by his old team, the Devils. During the 2004-05 NHL Lockout Sykora played for the Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Russian Super League. Shortly after returning from the lockout, Sykora was traded to the New York Rangers on January 8, 2006. Following the season he entered free agency and signed with the Edmonton Oilers on August 11, 2006. The following year he entered free agency again, signing with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 2, 2007.