Marian Gaborik

Marian Gaborik (born on February 14, 1982) is a Slovak professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Marian began his career in the Slovak Extraliga with HC Dukla Trenčín for two seasons before being drafted third overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild.

After spending eight seasons in Minnesota before signing with the New York Rangers in 2009, he is the Wild's all-time leading scorer in goals and points.

Internationally, he is a two-time Olympian with Slovakia and has won a bronze medal at the 1999 World Junior Championships.

Awards & Achievements

 * Selected to three NHL All-Star Games (2003, 2008 and 2012)
 * Named MVP of the 2012 NHL All-Star Game

Personal Life
Marian has used his success to benefit Slovak ice hockey and player development. In 2005, he opened his ice rink Arena Mariána Gáboríka in his native city of Trenčín, Slovakia at a personal cost of approximately 50 million Slovak crowns.

The ice rink provides the opportunity to both learn how to skate as well as play ice hockey for local youth and also contains both a full fitness center for off-ice conditioning and accommodations so that participants in programs may stay overnight.

The rink earned the distinction of "2005 Construction of the Year" in Trenčín. Beginning in 2009, Marian's ice rink has also begun offering a hockey school program.

Of the rink, Marian says:

"ARENA MG represents the fulfilment of one of my dreams. It was in Trenčín where I took my first ice-hockey steps, where I learned the first zigzags and shot my first goals. I am thankful for this opportunity and in order to give thanks for what ice hockey gave me, I also wanted to help other boys and girls and create conditions to help fulfil their sports dreams."

Marian spends a lot of personal time pursuing this endeavor during the offseason as he personally attends each of his hockey school's summer camp sessions to meet the campers and pose for photographs.

He has also founded the Marian Gaborik Foundation which also supports his mission of expanding access to youth hockey in Slovakia.