Guide Note

Professional National Hockey League defenseman Roman Hamrlik plays for the Montreal Canadiens. A hard-hitting, physical defensive player, Hamrlik has also proved himself effective on the offense, especially during the power play.

Fast Facts

1. Birth date: April 12, 1974
2. Birth place: Zlin, Czech Republic
3. Position: Defense
4. Shoots: Left
5. Jersey number: 44
6. Three-time NHL All-Star
7. Won a Gold Medal with Czech team at the 1998 Winter Olympics
8. Competed for the Czech Republic at the 2002 Olympic games

Hamrlik was selected as the first overall pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. He joined the Lightning for 67 games and earned 21 points during his rookie season. He reached his career high of 67 points and 103 penalty minutes during the 1995-1996 season.

Hamrlik played the better part of five seasons with the Lightning before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers for two and a half years. Hamrlik was traded to the New York Islanders prior to the 2000-2001 season and remained in New York for the next four seasons.

Up for free agency, Hamrlik signed a two-year contract worth a reported $7 million with the Calgary Flames in the summer of 2005. When the contract expired, Hamrlik, again a free agent, signed a four-year $22 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens in July 2007.