Dominik Hašek

Dominik Hašek is considered one of the greatest goaltenders of all-time, and became known as “The Dominator.” He started out with HC ČSOB Pojišťovna Pardubice in 1980, but in 1990 joined the Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League (NHL), and would stay in the NHL through 2008, later playing with the Buffalo Sabres and the Detroit Red Wings. From 1993-2001 Hašek won the Vezina Trophy six times, emblematic of the top goalie in the NHL. He twice played on Stanley Cup Champions with the Red Wings, leading them to the title in 2002 and 2008. His career saves percentage of 0.9223 is the highest career total in the NHL (as of 2013), and his 1998-99 season save percentage of 0.9336 was an NHL record at the time, since bettered twice through 2013. After his NHL career ended, Hašek played one more year with HC ČSOB Pojišťovna Pardubice, and then a final year with HC Spartak Moskva before retiring in 2012.

Internationally Hašek won multiple medals for Czechoslovakia and later the Czech Republic. He started by winning three silver medals with Czechoslovakia at the World Junior Championships in 1982, 1983, and 1985. He added four medals at the World Championships, winning silver in 1983, and three bronzes in 1987, 1989, and 1990. Hašek’s work in goal was considered responsible for the Czech Republic winning the 1998 Olympic gold medal, and he came back in 2006 to win an Olympic bronze, although he played only briefly there because of injuries.

Hašek was unusual among high level Czech hockey players as he had a university degree, graduating from the University of Hradec Králové with an education degree, and later briefly taught high school classes. Prior to starting hockey, he played competitive football (soccer) and was a junior tennis champion in Bohemia.