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Marián Gáborík

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Marián Gáborík
Gáborík with the Minnesota Wild in 2009.
Born (1982-02-14) 14 February 1982 (age 42)
Trenčín, Czechoslovakia
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 201 lb (91 kg; 14 st 5 lb)
Position Left wing
Shot Left
Played for Dukla Trenčín
Minnesota Wild
Färjestad BK
New York Rangers
Columbus Blue Jackets
Los Angeles Kings
Ottawa Senators
National team  Slovakia
NHL draft 3rd overall, 2000
Minnesota Wild
Playing career 1998–2018

Marián Gáborík (Slovak pronunciation: [ˈmarijaːŋ ˈɡaːbɔriːk]; born 14 February 1982) is a Slovak former professional ice hockey right winger. He began his playing career in the Slovak Extraliga with Dukla Trenčín for two seasons before being drafted third overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild, becoming the highest-drafted Slovak player in National Hockey League (NHL) history until Juraj Slafkovský, who was drafted 1st overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2022. Gáborík was the Wild's first-ever draft pick and would score the team's first-ever regular season goal.

Gáborík spent eight seasons with the Wild from 2000 to 2009, becoming the team's all-time leading goal scorer, before signing with the New York Rangers in 2009. He has also played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings, and Ottawa Senators in the NHL until retiring in 2018. Gáborík won the Stanley Cup with the Kings, defeating his former team, the Rangers, in the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals.

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

Playing career

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Dukla Trenčín (1998–2000)

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Gáborík played with Dukla Trenčín's junior team and scored 59 points over 36 games in 1997–98. That same season, he appeared in one Slovak Extraliga game with Dukla Trenčín's men's team, scoring a goal in his professional debut. The following season, in 1998–99, he joined Dukla Trenčín in the Slovak Extraliga full-time and registered 20 points over 33 games as a rookie. Gáborík then improved to 46 points in 50 games the following season in his draft year.

Minnesota Wild (2000–2009)

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Gáborík was the first-ever draft pick for the expansion Minnesota Wild, drafted with the third overall pick in the first round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft after Rick DiPietro and Dany Heatley. Gáborík immediately showed promise during his rookie season with the Wild, scoring the team's first ever regular season goal[1] en route to collecting 18 goals and 36 points for the expansion Wild. He elevated his game the following season, in 2001–02, notching his first 30-goal season and nearly doubling his rookie output to 67 points. He also recorded his first career NHL hat-trick near the beginning of the season on 13 November 2001. In 2002–03, Gáborík was named to his first NHL All-Star Game and won the fastest skater competition, lapping the rink in 13.713 seconds.[2] He notched 30 goals for the second consecutive season, but more importantly helped lead the Wild to their first Stanley Cup playoffs appearance. He capped off his third NHL season with 17 points in 18 games as part of a run to the Western Conference Finals.

Gáborík saluting the crowd following his five-goal game against the Rangers in 2007.

Contractual issues kept Gáborík from starting the 2003–04 season with the Wild, as his initial entry-level contract came to an end in the off-season. Holding out with Dukla Trenčín, his agent, Allan Walsh, asserted that Gáborík would not take less than $6.5 million a year.[3] After switching agents three times, Gáborík eventually agreed to a three-year, $10 million contract with the Wild on 31 October 2003.[4] Limited to 65 games that season, he recorded 18 goals and 40 points. Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Gáborík again returned to Dukla Trenčín, where he dominated with 52 points in 29 games. He also saw time with Färjestad BK of the Swedish Elitserien.

As NHL play resumed in 2005–06, Gáborík took another step forward, becoming a point-per-game player with 38 goals and 66 points in a 65-game season limited by a groin injury. His season was shortened once more the following season in 2006–07, re-injuring his groin on 20 October 2006, against the Anaheim Ducks. Despite a 10- to 14-day estimated recovery time,[5] he did not return to the lineup until 6 January 2007, against the Colorado Avalanche 2+1⁄2 months later. Although Gáborík missed 34 games, he still managed a second consecutive 30-goal season to go with 57 points overall.

On 20 December 2007, Gáborík recorded a six-point game against the New York Rangers with five goals and an assist. This made him the first player in Wild history to score five goals in a game, as well as the first NHLer since Sergei Fedorov of the Detroit Red Wings did so, 11 years earlier (on 26 December 1996, against the Washington Capitals).[6] At mid-season, he was chosen to his second NHL All-Star Game and would go on to record personal bests of 42 goals, 41 assists and 83 points. Gáborík finished his career year as team captain for the Wild in March 2008. It was the first time in his career he was chosen as part of the team's monthly rotating captaincy.[7] Entering the final year of his contract with the Wild in 2008–09, the Wild began negotiations early to re-sign Gáborík. A ten-year, $80 million deal was turned down by Gáborík, and the Wild consequently began entertaining trade offers from NHL teams.[8] His playing time with the Wild was limited in his final year after being sidelined early in the season with a lower-body injury[8] before undergoing hip surgery in January 2009.[9] He returned to the lineup on 21 March 2009, against the Edmonton Oilers[10] and finished the season with 23 points in 17 games.

Gáborík was unable to sign a new contract with the Wild in the 2009 off-season. He left the Wild after eight seasons as its last original player and as the club's all-time leader in goals, assists and points, all of which have since been surpassed by Mikko Koivu.[11]

New York Rangers (2009–2013)

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Leading up to the free agency period, Gáborík was speculated to have interest in signing with the Vancouver Canucks after The Province reported he had recently bought a home in West Vancouver in the 2009 off-season.[12] Nevertheless, Gáborík signed as an unrestricted free agent with the New York Rangers on the first day of free agency on 1 July 2009. The Rangers signed him to a reported $37.5 million contract over five years.[13]

Gáborík with the Rangers in 2011

Gáborík got off to a quick start with his new club, scoring 10 goals in his first 12 games.[14] Nearly a month into the season, he suffered a knee injury after colliding with former Ranger Petr Průcha in a game against the Phoenix Coyotes on 26 October 2009.[14] He missed two games, including what would have been his first game back in Minnesota against the Wild. Gáborík was injured for a second time in the season when his right leg was cut by team goaltender Henrik Lundqvist during a team practice on 9 February 2010.[15] Though the Rangers missed the 2010 playoffs, Gáborík did not disappoint in his first season with the team; he played in 76 games, matching his career high with 42 goals, and set a new career high in points with 86.

Gáborík's second season with the Rangers, in 2010–11, was hampered by injury. Just three games into the season, he suffered a shoulder injury after receiving an illegal boarding hit in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The injury caused him to miss nearly a month, and, upon his return, limited his playing style, which relies on his tremendous wrist shot. Perhaps due to lingering effects from his various ailments, Gáborík proved a streaky scorer throughout the season and finished with 22 goals and 26 assists in 62 games, though 12 of those goals came in four games. His best game of the season was on 19 January 2011, when Gáborík scored four goals and an assist in a 7–0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. For the first time since Gáborík had joined the team, the Rangers qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs with a 5–2 win over the rival New Jersey Devils in the final game of the season. Gáborík contributed an assist on the game-winning goal, and a plus-minus rating of +2 during the game.

On 29 January 2012, Gáborík was named the MVP of the 59th NHL All-Star Game in Ottawa.[16]

On 3 May 2012, shortly after midnight, Gáborík scored a triple-overtime game winner against the Washington Capitals in game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead in the series, whilst ending one of the longest playoff games in Rangers history.

Gáborík with the Blue Jackets in 2013

On the commencement of the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season, Gáborík, who remained idle during the labour dispute, struggled to recapture his previous scoring pace with New York, often overshadowed by the addition of Rick Nash to the Rangers.[17]

Columbus Blue Jackets (2013–2014)

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After scoring nine goals in 35 games, Gáborík was dealt at the trade deadline on 3 April 2013, along with minor league players Blake Parlett and Steven Delisle, to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett, John Moore and a sixth-round draft pick.[18] The following night, Gáborík made his debut with the Blue Jackets and immediately made an impact, scoring the game-winning goal and earning an assist in a victory over the Nashville Predators.[19] Gáborík then scored for Columbus in their opening game of the 2013–14 season, a 4–3 loss to the Calgary Flames. However, he shortly thereafter suffered an injury and missed 17 games to recover from a sprained left knee. In his first game back on December 21, 2013, he immediately broke his collarbone in the first period of a game against the Philadelphia Flyers.[20]

Los Angeles Kings and Ottawa Senators (2014–2018)

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Gáborík was traded to the Los Angeles Kings on 5 March 2014, in exchange for forward Matt Frattin, a second-round draft pick and a conditional third-round pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.[21] The Kings' acquisition of Gáborík paid dividends in the 2014 playoffs, as he went on to lead the playoffs with 14 goals and contributed to the Kings' effort in capturing their second Stanley Cup in three years, prevailing over his former club, the New York Rangers.

On 25 June 2014, Gáborík, as a pending free agent, opted to remain with the Kings in signing a seven-year, $34.125 million contract.[22] In the 2014–15 season, Gaborik would put up 27 goals for 47 points point in 69 games with the Kings, including scoring the game winning goal at the 2015 NHL Stadium Series. Over the next three seasons, his goal scoring would drop and injuries would take their toll on him.

On 15 December 2017, Gáborík played his 1,000th career NHL game.[23][24][25] Gáborík recorded two points in a 4–2 win to the Rangers.[26]

However, two months later, on 13 February 2018, Gáborík and Nick Shore were traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Dion Phaneuf and Nate Thompson.[27] Gáborík underwent surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back on 5 April 2018.[28] The 2017–18 season would prove to be his last, as he did not play the following three seasons after being placed on the injured reserve list.

On 27 December 2020, Gáborík's rights were traded along with goaltender Anders Nilsson from Ottawa to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenseman Braydon Coburn, forward Cédric Paquette, and a 2022 second-round draft pick. This was viewed as a move to allow Tampa Bay to be salary cap compliant for the 2020–21 NHL season.[29] On 4 November 2021, Gáborík officially announced his retirement from the NHL.[30]

Charity

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Gáborík 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 at a personal cost of approximately 50 million Slovak koruna.[31] 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.[32] Beginning in 2009, Gáborík's ice rink has also begun offering a hockey school program.[33]

Of the rink, Gáborík says:[32]

"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."

Gáborík spends a lot of personal time pursuing this endeavor during the off-season, as he personally attends each of his hockey school's summer camp sessions to meet the campers and pose for photographs.[34]

Gáborík has also founded the Marian Gaborik Foundation, which also supports his mission of expanding access to youth hockey in Slovakia.[35]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Bold indicates led league

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1997–98 Dukla Trenčín SVK U20 36 37 22 59 28 — — — — —
1997–98 Dukla Trenčín SVK 1 1 0 1 0 — — — — —
1998–99 Dukla Trenčín Slovak 33 11 9 20 6 3 1 0 1 2
1999–00 Dukla Trenčín SVK 50 25 21 46 34 5 1 2 3 2
2000–01 Minnesota Wild NHL 71 18 18 36 32 — — — — —
2001–02 Minnesota Wild NHL 78 30 37 67 34 — — — — —
2002–03 Minnesota Wild NHL 81 30 35 65 46 18 9 8 17 6
2003–04 Dukla Trenčín SVK 9 10 3 13 10 — — — — —
2003–04 Minnesota Wild NHL 65 18 22 40 16 — — — — —
2004–05 Färjestad BK SEL 12 6 4 10 45 — — — — —
2004–05 Dukla Trenčín SVK 29 25 27 52 46 12 8 9 17 26
2005–06 Minnesota Wild NHL 65 38 28 66 64 — — — — —
2006–07 Minnesota Wild NHL 48 30 27 57 40 5 3 1 4 8
2007–08 Minnesota Wild NHL 77 42 41 83 63 6 0 1 1 4
2008–09 Minnesota Wild NHL 17 13 10 23 2 — — — — —
2009–10 New York Rangers NHL 76 42 44 86 37 — — — — —
2010–11 New York Rangers NHL 62 22 26 48 18 5 1 1 2 2
2011–12 New York Rangers NHL 82 41 35 76 34 20 5 6 11 2
2012–13 New York Rangers NHL 35 9 10 19 8 — — — — —
2012–13 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 12 3 5 8 6 — — — — —
2013–14 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 22 6 8 14 6 — — — — —
2013–14 Los Angeles Kings NHL 19 5 11 16 4 26 14 8 22 6
2014–15 Los Angeles Kings NHL 69 27 20 47 16 — — — — —
2015–16 Los Angeles Kings NHL 54 12 10 22 20 4 0 1 1 2
2016–17 Los Angeles Kings NHL 56 10 11 21 18 — — — — —
2017–18 Los Angeles Kings NHL 30 7 7 14 18 — — — — —
2017–18 Ottawa Senators NHL 16 4 3 7 6 — — — — —
NHL totals 1,035 407 408 815 492 84 32 26 58 30

International

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Gáborík during the 2010 Winter Olympics
Medal record
Representing  Slovakia
Men's ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1999 Canada
World U18 Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1999 Germany
Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
1998 Slovakia EJC18 6 2 1 3 0
1999 Slovakia WJC 6 3 0 3 2
1999 Slovakia WJC18 7 3 8 11 2
2000 Slovakia WJC 7 3 1 4 0
2000 Slovakia WJC18 6 6 2 8 12
2001 Slovakia WC 7 2 1 3 0
2004 Slovakia WC 9 4 2 6 4
2004 Slovakia WCH 4 1 0 1 2
2005 Slovakia WC 7 3 1 4 6
2006 Slovakia OLY 6 3 4 7 4
2007 Slovakia WC 6 5 6 11 14
2010 Slovakia OLY 7 4 1 5 6
2011 Slovakia WC 6 2 1 3 0
2015 Slovakia WC 7 4 2 6 8
2016 Team Europe WCH 4 2 0 2 2
Junior totals 32 17 12 29 16
Senior totals 63 30 18 48 46

Awards and honors

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Award Year
NHL
All-Star Game 2003, 2008, 2012
All-Star Game MVP 2012
Second All-Star Team 2012
Stanley Cup champion 2014

References

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  1. ^ "First Goal In Wild History" (text and video). National Hockey League. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2021. Marian Gaborik scored the first goal in Wild history with assists from Scott Pellerin & Jim Dowd on October 6, 2000 against the Anaheim Ducks
  2. ^ "2003 NHL All-Star Game". ESPN. 4 December 2007. Archived from the original on 23 February 2003. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
  3. ^ "Wild discuss offer to holdout Gaborik". ESPN. 10 October 2003. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
  4. ^ "Gaborik signs deal with Wild". ESPN. 31 October 2003. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
  5. ^ "Marian Gaborik". TSN. 2006. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  6. ^ "Recap". Sports Illustrated. 2007. Archived from the original on 24 December 2007. Retrieved 21 December 2007.
  7. ^ "Recap". Minnesota Wild and NHL. 2008. Archived from the original on 3 March 2008. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
  8. ^ a b "While Marian Gaborik rumors go wild, the Wild keep going". Sporting News. 22 October 2008. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  9. ^ Marian Gaborik of the Wild to Have Hip Surgery SI.com, 2 January 2009
  10. ^ Gaborik Returns, Koivu Hurt in Wild Win fanhouse.com, 22 March 2009
  11. ^ "Career Stats - Regular season - Minnesota Wild - All Skaters - Career Leaders for Team - Career Points". National Hockey League. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
  12. ^ "Canucks intrigue as Marian Gaborik buys West Van home". The Province. 23 July 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2009.[permanent dead link‍]
  13. ^ "Gaborik signs with Rangers". NHL.com. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
  14. ^ a b Brooks, Larry (28 October 2009). "Rangers' Gaborik not playing tonight". New York Post. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  15. ^ "Rangers' Gaborik sits out versus Preds because of cut on leg". The Sports Network. 10 February 2010. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
  16. ^ Becker, Nathan (30 January 2012). "Rangers' Gaborik Snags Hat Trick, All-Star MVP". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  17. ^ "Gabbo a goner?". The Hockey News. 5 March 2013. Archived from the original on 8 March 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  18. ^ "Kekalainen injects life into Blue Jackets with Gaborik". National Hockey League. 3 April 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  19. ^ "Gaborik scores game-winner in debut". National Hockey League. 4 April 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  20. ^ "Blue Jackets forward Marian Gaborik, in first game back from knee injury, breaks collarbone". National Hockey League. 21 December 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  21. ^ "Marian Gaborik traded to Kings". ESPN. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  22. ^ Kings, Los Angeles. "Marian Gaborik And The Kings Agree To Terms On A New Seven-Year Deal". kings.nhl.com. Mike Kalinowski. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  23. ^ Dillman, Lisa (15 December 2017). "Gaborik Ready for Grand Celebration in 1,000th NHL Game". Los Angeles Kings. Retrieved 17 December 2017 – via NHL.com.
  24. ^ "LA Kings to Honor Marian Gaborik for 1,000 NHL Games". Los Angeles Kings. 15 December 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2017 – via NHL.com.
  25. ^ Zupke, Curtis (14 December 2017). "Marian Gaborik will play in 1,000th NHL game when Kings visit New York Rangers on Friday". Los Angeles Times. New York. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  26. ^ "Rangers spoil Gaborik's milestone night with 4-2 win over Kings". Los Angeles Times. 16 December 2017. Archived from the original on 1 July 2023.
  27. ^ "LA Kings Acquire Phaneuf, Thompson; Trade Gaborik, Shore to Senators". Los Angeles Kings. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018 – via NHL.com.
  28. ^ "Marian Gaborik undergoes surgery for herniated disk". ESPN. Associated Press. 5 April 2018.
  29. ^ "Ottawa Senators acquire Coburn, Paquette, pick from Lightning for Gaborik, Nilsson". TSN. 27 December 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  30. ^ Stephens, Mike (4 November 2021). "Marian Gaborik Officially Announces Retirement from NHL". The Hockey News. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  31. ^ "MG Rink, small ice rink Marian Gaborik .:: Official websites of Marian Gaborik ::. (Introduction)". mariangaborik.sk. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  32. ^ a b "MG Rink, small ice rink Marian Gaborik .:: Official websites of Marian Gaborik ::. (Arena MG)". mariangaborik.sk. Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  33. ^ "The Hockey School of Marian Gaborik .:: Official website of Marian Gaborik ::. (Introduction)". mariangaborik.sk. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  34. ^ "The Hockey School of Marian Gaborik .:: Official websites of Marian Gaborik ::. (Hockey School)". mariangaborik.sk. Archived from the original on 4 July 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  35. ^ "The Marian Gaborik Foundation .:: Official websites of Marian Gaborik ::. (Activities)". mariangaborik.sk. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
[edit]
Preceded by
Team founded
 Minnesota Wild first round draft pick
2000 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Mikko Koivu
 Minnesota Wild captain
March–April 2008 		Succeeded by
Mikko Koivu
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