Mariusz Czerkawski | |||
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Born |
Radomsko, Łódź, Poland |
April 13, 1972 ||
Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
Weight | 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb) | ||
Position | Right Wing | ||
Shot | Left | ||
Played for |
NHL Boston Bruins Edmonton Oilers New York Islanders Montreal Canadiens Toronto Maple Leafs Europe GKS Tychy Djurgårdens IF Hammarby IF Kiekko-Espoo Rapperswil-Jona Lakers AHL Hamilton Bulldogs |
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National team | Poland | ||
NHL Draft | 106th overall, 1991 Boston Bruins |
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Playing career | 1990–2008 |
Mariusz Krzysztof Czerkawski (pronounced [ˈmarjuʂ t͡ʂɛrˈkafski]; born April 13, 1972) is a retired Polish ice hockey player. He played for the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League (NHL). In addition to playing in the NHL, Czerkawski played for several different European-based teams. A consistent scorer, Czerkawski was the first player born and trained in Poland to play in the NHL.
After a good season with the GKS Tychy in 1990–91, the Boston Bruins drafted him in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft in the 5th round, 105th overall. Czerkawski joined that year the Djurgårdens IF of the Elitserien. His first season numbers were unimpressive, reflecting his rookie status. He posted good results in his second season in Stockholm, with 34 points in 39 games.
Czerkawski made his NHL debut in 1993–94 with the Bruins, playing in 4 games, a long enough stint to collect two goals and an assist and introduce himself as a promising youngster. The next season, he played 47 games with Boston, collecting 12 goals and 14 assists in the shortened season.
In 1996, Czerkawski was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. He played about a season and a half there before another trade sent him to the New York Islanders, where Czerkawski would have his best years, including two 30-goal plus seasons. After being traded to the Montreal Canadiens in 2002, however, he found himself waived to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League. His contract was bought out and he signed a one-year deal with the Islanders in 2003, netting another 25-goal season.