Michael Frolík (; born 17 February 1988) is a Czech professional
ice hockey
Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. Tw ...
right winger
In the sport of association football, a midfielder takes an outfield position primarily in the middle of the pitch. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in that case known as defensive midfielders. ...
for
Rytíři Kladno
Rytíři Kladno (') is a Czech Republic, Czech professional ice hockey team based in the city of Kladno. They are currently a member of the Czech Extraliga. The team president and owner is Jaromír Jágr, a former National Hockey League, NHL pla ...
in the
Czech Extraliga
The Czech Extraliga () is the highest-level ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. It was created in 1993 following the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia midway through the 1992–93 Czechoslovak Extraliga season (which all Slovak and ...
.
Frolík has previously played in the
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...
(NHL) with the
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team initially played it ...
, the organization that selected him tenth overall in
2006
2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification.
Events
January
* January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute.
* January 12 – A stampede during t ...
, as well as the
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...
, with whom he won the
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...
in
2013
2013 was the first year since 1987 to contain four unique digits (a span of 26 years).
2013 was designated as:
*International Year of Water Cooperation
*International Year of Quinoa
Events
January
* January 5 – 2013 Craig, Alask ...
. He also had stints with the
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...
,
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...
,
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...
and
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
.
Playing career
Amateur
As a youth, Frolík played in the 2002
Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament
The Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament () is an annual minor ice hockey event in Quebec City. The tournament was founded in 1960 to coincide with the Quebec Winter Carnival, and give an opportunity for international competition to p ...
with a team from
Chomutov
Chomutov (; ) is a city in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 47,000 inhabitants. There are almost 80,000 inhabitants in the city's wider metropolitan area. The historic city centre is well preserved and is protected as ...
.
Junior
Beginning in the
2006–07 season, Frolík began his North American career playing at the
major junior
Junior ice hockey is amateur-level ice hockey for 16 to 20 year-old players. National List of members of the International Ice Hockey Federation, Junior teams compete annually for the IIHF World Junior Championship. The United States men's nationa ...
level for the
Rimouski Océanic
The Rimouski Océanic are a Canadian junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The franchise was granted for the 1969–70 season as the Sherbrooke Castors. The Castors played in Sherbrooke from 1969 to 1982 ...
of the
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL; , LHJMQ), formerly the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). The league includes teams in Quebec ...
(QMJHL).
Professional
Florida Panthers
Frolík played two seasons in the
Czech Extraliga
The Czech Extraliga () is the highest-level ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. It was created in 1993 following the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia midway through the 1992–93 Czechoslovak Extraliga season (which all Slovak and ...
for
Rabat Kladno before being selected tenth overall in the
2006 NHL Entry Draft by the
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team initially played it ...
. He made his NHL debut for Florida during the
2008–09 season, in which he finished with 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points in 79 games. The
following season, Frolík would record 43 points.
Chicago Blackhawks
On 9 February 2011, during Frolík's third season with the Panthers, he was traded to the
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...
(along with goaltender
Alexander Salák) in exchange for
Jack Skille,
Hugh Jessiman and David Pacan. Frolík scored his first goal as a Blackhawk on 2 March 2011, against
Miikka Kiprusoff
Miikka Sakari Kiprusoff (; born October 26, 1976), nicknamed "Kipper", is a Finnish former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the San Jose Sharks and Calgary Flames between 2000 and 2013. He was select ...
the
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...
where the Blackhawks won the game 6–4. On 13 April, he made his Stanley Cup playoff debut against the
Presidents' Trophy
The Presidents' Trophy () is an award presented by the National Hockey League (NHL) to the team that finishes with the most points (i.e., best overall record) during the regular season. If two teams are tied for the most points, then the Trophy ...
-winning
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
. On 19 April, he scored his first career playoff goal against Canucks goaltender
Roberto Luongo in game 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals and on 24 April, he scored the first
Stanley Cup playoff penalty shot in Blackhawks history against Canucks goaltender
Cory Schneider in Game 6 of the
Western Conference Quarterfinals.
On 15 July 2011, Frolík signed a three-year contract extension with the Blackhawks at an annual average value of $2.333 million.
During the
2012–13 NHL lockout
1 (one, unit, unity) is a number, numeral, and glyph. It is the first and smallest positive integer of the infinite sequence of natural numbers. This fundamental property has led to its unique uses in other fields, ranging from science to ...
, Frolík played for
Piráti Chomutov
Piráti Chomutov is a Czech ice hockey team from Chomutov, Czech Republic. Established as ČSK Chomutov in 1945, the team has played in Chomutov through numerous team name changes and elevations/relegations in the Czechoslovak and Czech hockey l ...
of the
Czech Extraliga
The Czech Extraliga () is the highest-level ice hockey league in the Czech Republic. It was created in 1993 following the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia midway through the 1992–93 Czechoslovak Extraliga season (which all Slovak and ...
until returning to the Blackhawks for the 48-game shortened regular season in which he would play 45 games with three goals, seven assists and 10 points to help the Blackhawks win the Presidents' Trophy as the regular season champions. On 27 May 2013, during the
2013 playoffs, he scored the second playoff penalty shot goal of his career against
Jimmy Howard of the
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...
, becoming the first player in NHL history to score more than one career penalty shot goal in the playoffs. He ultimately scored ten points (three goals, seven assists) in the all 23 playoff games in en route to the Blackhawks'
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...
victory over the
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...
in six games including an assist on the Stanley Cup clinching goal in game six by
Dave Bolland.
Winnipeg Jets

In the subsequent off-season, on 30 June 2013, Frolík was traded to the
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...
in exchange for a third- and fifth-round pick at the
2013 NHL Entry Draft. In the
2013–14 season opener on 2 October 2013, at
Rexall Place
Northlands Coliseum is a defunct indoor arena in Edmonton, Alberta. It was used for sports events and concerts, and was home to the Edmonton Oilers of the World Hockey Association (WHA) and National Hockey League (NHL), and the Edmonton Oil Kin ...
against the
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
, Frolík scored twice in a 5–4 Winnipeg win.
On 29 July 2014, Frolík and the Jets agreed on a one-year, $3.3 million contract. He finished with 19 goals and 23 assists on in the regular season, but was held pointless during the Jets' four-game sweep at the hands of the
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Ducks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confere ...
in the
2015 playoffs.
Calgary Flames
On 1 July 2015, Frolík, as an unrestricted free agent, signed a five-year, $21 million contract with the
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...
at an annual average value of $4.3 million.
Buffalo Sabres
During his final year under contract with the Flames in the
2019–20 season, unable to replicate his offensive production from previous years with 10 points through 38 games, Frolik was traded by the Flames to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a fourth-round pick in
2020
The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of even ...
on 2 January 2020.
Montreal Canadiens
On 23 December 2020, Frolík signed as a free agent to a one-year, $750,000 contract with the
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
.
St. Louis Blues
As a free agent over the summer and approaching the season, Frolík accepted an invitation to attend the
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
training camp on a
professional tryout (PTO) contract on 18 September 2021.
Lausanne HC
On 15 October 2021, Frolík joined
Lausanne HC of the
National League
National League often refers to:
*National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada
*National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...
(NL) on a two-year deal through the
2022–23 season.
Bílí Tygři Liberec
Despite having tenure remaining on his deal with Lausanne, Frolík opted to sign with
Bílí Tygři Liberec of the Czech Extraliga on 21 July 2022.
Rytíři Kladno
In July 2023, Frolík agreed to a one-year contract to return to Rabat Kladno (now known as
Rytíři Kladno
Rytíři Kladno (') is a Czech Republic, Czech professional ice hockey team based in the city of Kladno. They are currently a member of the Czech Extraliga. The team president and owner is Jaromír Jágr, a former National Hockey League, NHL pla ...
), the team he began his hockey career with in Czech Extraliga seventeen years prior.
Personal life
His wife is former
Miss Czech Republic model and TV/radio personality,
Diana Kobzanová. They have three daughters together: Ella (b. 2014), Lily (b. 2018) and Nelly (b. 2023).
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
International
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Frolik, Michael
1988 births
Buffalo Sabres players
Calgary Flames players
Chicago Blackhawks players
Czech ice hockey right wingers
Florida Panthers draft picks
Florida Panthers players
Ice hockey players at the 2014 Winter Olympics
Rytíři Kladno players
Lausanne HC players
Laval Rocket players
Living people
Montreal Canadiens players
NHL first-round draft picks
Olympic ice hockey players for the Czech Republic
Ice hockey people from Kladno
Piráti Chomutov players
Rimouski Océanic players
Stanley Cup champions
Winnipeg Jets players
Ice hockey players at the 2022 Winter Olympics
Czech expatriate ice hockey players in the United States
Czech expatriate ice hockey players in Canada
Czech expatriate ice hockey players in Switzerland
21st-century Czech sportsmen