Marian Hossa

Slovakian professional hockey player Marian "The Hoss" Hossa currently plays for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League.

Hossa was taken off the ice on a stretcher during a March 3, 2009, game against the St. Louis Blues after sliding head first into the boards following a hit by Roman Polak. He was taken to the hospital for testing. A CT scan was negative and he is not expected to miss an extended period of playing time.ESPN.com: Hossa Taken Off Ice on Stretcher

Hossa began his career in 1995 with the HC Dukla Trencin in the Slovak Extraliga, the top hockey league in Slovakia. He was then drafted 12th overall in the 1997 NHL Draft by the Ottawa Senators. Hossa joined the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League for the majority of the 1997-98 regular season, playing just seven games with the Senators that year. One year later Hossa was a runner up for the Calder Trophy, given to the NHL's Rookie of the Year.

Hossa earned his first of four NHL All-Star Game selections in 2002. He also joined Team Slovakia in the Winter Olympics the same year. Hossa returned to the HC Dukla Trencin during the 2004-05 NHL Lockout, then was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers shortly after returning to the United States. He again represented Slovakia in the 2006 Winter Olympics. Hossa continued in Atlanta until the trade deadline in 2008, when he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In July of 2008, Hossa signed as a free agent with the Detroit Red Wings.