Robert Lang

Robert Lang, a center, started his career in Czechoslovakia with HC Litvínov, but was selected by the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 7th round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. Except for brief returns, one during an NHL player’s strike in 1994-95, Lang played out a long, productive career in the NHL. He started with the Kings, playing with them through 1996, before moving to the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins in 1997. Lang stayed with the Penguins through 2002, and then played two seasons with the Washington Capitals, and three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. In his last three years in the NHL, Lang bounced around, playing one season each with the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, and Phoenix Coyotes, retiring after the 2010 season.

Lang played in the NHL All-Star Game in 2004, and played on the winning President’s Trophy team with the Red Wings in 2004 and 2006. His best season was likely 2004 when he was ninth in the league in points scored. Internationally, Lang played for Czechoslovakia at the 1992 Worlds and 1992 Winter Olympics. He played for the Czech Republic at the 1996 and 1997 Worlds, the 1998 and 2002 Olympics, and the 1996 World Cup. He won two bronze medals at the World Championships, both with the Czech Republic, a gold in 1996 and a bronze in 1997.