Michal Sivek

Michal learned the basics of hockey as a youngster in the Sparta Praha hockey club. His talent was obvious early on, and by the age of 16, Michal was playing in the top Czech league. As an amateur athlete, Michal was captain of the Czech U18 national team during the European championships in 1998; participated in three U20 World Championships, captaining the team on his third go; and won two World Championship titles. He is one of the few Czech hockey players to participate three times in the U20 World Championships.

It did not take long for the NHL to notice the stout forward; Michal was drafted by the Washington Capitals in 1999. He played 59 matches for the Prince Albert Raiders, scored 65 points, and was nominated Rookie of the Year. Michal’s exceptional year was completed by being chosen for the WHL All-Star game. Michal returned to the NHL after a year with Sparta Praha, and moved to the Penguins as part of an exchange for Jaromír Jágr and František Kučera. Michal made his debut with Mario Lemieux and Alexej Kovalev; he spent three years in the Penguins organization.

In 2004, Michal returned home to the Czech Republic and Sparta Praha’s Extraliga team, the Czech Republic’s premier league. Michal played for four seasons with Sparta, earning three championship titles. Michal’s success in hockey was not limited to his time on the ice with Sparta, he was an active player on the Czech national team.

Michal retired from professional hockey after 11 years as an athlete on the ice. Michal and his former teammate and long-time friend, Vladimír Vůjtek, Jr., manage EHS.