Václav Prospal

Václav Prospal
Prospal with the Lightning in 2009
Born	(1975-02-17) February 17, 1975 (age 42) České Budějovice, Czechoslovakia
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position	Left Wing
Shot	Left
Played for	Philadelphia Flyers Ottawa Senators Florida Panthers Tampa Bay Lightning Mighty Ducks of Anaheim New York Rangers Columbus Blue Jackets HC České Budějovice
National team	Czech Republic
NHL Draft	71st overall, 1993 Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career	1993–2013

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Olympic Games
	2006 Torino	Ice hockey
World Championships
	2005 Vienna	Ice hockey
	2000 Saint Petersburg	Ice hockey

Václav "Vinny" Prospal (born February 17, 1975) is a Czech former professional ice hockey player. He played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets. On January 24, 2014, he announced his retirement from professional hockey.

Prospal was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, third round, 71st overall. While with the Flyers, Prospal suffered a fractured arm during the 1997 playoffs. Prospal and another player collided during the Flyers' practice session. During the 1997-98 season, Prospal, who was named to the 1998 Czech Olympic hockey team, broke his leg while fighting for the puck with Lance Pitlick during a game with the Ottawa Senators; Prospal was unable to play in the 1998 Winter Olympics. Ironically, Prospal was traded to the Senators a few months later. During the 2004-05 lockout, Prospal played for his hometown team HC České Budějovice, leading them in scoring and helping the team return to the Czech Extraliga.

At the beginning of the 2007-08 season, while with the Lightning, Prospal posted 12 goals and 10 assists making it his best career start. On February 25, 2008, Prospal was dealt back to the Flyers for defenseman Alexandre Picard and a 2009 second-round draft pick.