Michal Rozsival



Michal Rozsíval (born September 3, 1978) is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL).

He joined the team in 2012, previously playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1999 until 2004, the New York Rangers from 2005 to 2011, and the Phoenix Coyotes in 2011-12.

Playing career
Michal was drafted in the fourth round, 105th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. To adjust to North American play, he moved to Canada to play junior hockey with the Swift Current Broncos.

Before making his debut with the Penguins, Michal played for the Syracuse Crunch in the American Hockey League (AHL). He made his NHL debut in the 1999–2000 season.

Michal came to the New York Rangers after the 2004–05 NHL lockout as a free agent. On April 29, 2007, he ended the Rangers' longest home playoff game since 1971 by blasting a shot past Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller at 16:43 of the second overtime period.

On July 1, 2008, Rozsíval signed a four-year contract with the Rangers worth $20 million. On February 22, 2009, Rozsíval switched his jersey number to 33 when former Rangers' player Harry Howell had his number 3 retired.

On January 10, 2011, Michal was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for Wojtek Wolski. He didn't record any points during the Coyotes' run to the 2012 Western Conference Finals. Michal was injured on a play just seconds before Dustin Penner's overtime series winner after a hit from Dustin Brown and had to be assisted off the ice.

On September 11, 2012, Michal was signed as a free agent by the Chicago Blackhawks on a one-year contract. The Blackhawks would win the Stanley Cup during the lockout shortened 2012-13 NHL season, defeating the Boston Bruins 3-2 in Game 6.

In Game 1 of that series, Michal shot a puck that deflected off Dave Bolland and Andrew Shaw into the net for the game-winning triple-overtime goal. Rozsíval was credited with an assist.On July 5, 2013, Rozsíval signed a two-year contract to remain with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Awards

 * 2006 NHL Plus/Minus Award (joint winner)
 * Stanley Cup champion (2013) (Chicago Blackhawks)