Tomas Plekanec

Tomáš Plekanec
Plekanec with the Montreal Canadiens in January 2015
Born	(1982-10-31) 31 October 1982 (age 34) Kladno, Czechoslovakia
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position	Centre
Shoots	Left
NHL team	Montreal Canadiens
National team	Czech Republic
NHL Draft	71st overall, 2001 Montreal Canadiens
Playing career	1998–present

Medal record
Representing  Czech Republic
Ice hockey
World Championships
	2006 Latvia
	2011 Slovakia
	2012 Finland
World Junior Championships
	2001 Russia

Tomas Plekanec (born 31 October 1982) is a Czech professional ice hockey centre currently playing for, and an alternate captain of, the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). After beginning his career with HC Kladno of the Czech Extraliga, he was selected 71st overall by the Canadiens in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Moving to North America in 2002, he played three seasons for the Canadiens' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, before joining the NHL club full-time for the 2005-06 NHL Season .

Plekanec played junior ice hockey in his native Czech Republic with the HC Kladno organization. He debuted with club's senior team in 1998–99, appearing in three Czech Extraliga games. Two years later, he joined the senior team full-time, recording 42 points over 53 games. In the off-season, Plekanec was selected by the Montreal Canadiens 71st overall in the third round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Remaining in the Czech Extraliga for a second full season, he scored 30 points over 43 games in 2001–02.

Plekanec came to North America to begin playing in the Canadiens' system in 2002–03. Assigned to the club's minor league affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL, he recorded 46 points over 77 games. Improving to 66 points with Hamilton in 2003–04, he also made his NHL debut that season, playing in two games. Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Plekanec remained in Hamilton for a third AHL season and recorded 64 points over 80 games.