Richard Pánik (Slovak pronunciation: [ˈrixart ˈpaːɲik]; born 7 February 1991) is a Slovak professional ice hockey right winger for HC Slovan Bratislava of the Slovak Extraliga. Pánik was drafted in the second round, 52nd overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Richard Pánik
Panik with the Tampa Bay Lightning in March 2014
Born (1991-02-07) 7 February 1991 (age 33)
Martin, Czechoslovakia
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 203 lb (92 kg; 14 st 7 lb)
Position Right wing
Shoots Left
Slovak Extraliga team
Former teams
HC Slovan Bratislava
Tampa Bay Lightning
Toronto Maple Leafs
Chicago Blackhawks
Arizona Coyotes
Washington Capitals
Detroit Red Wings
Lausanne HC
HC Oceláři Třinec
HC Dynamo Pardubice
National team  Slovakia
NHL draft 52nd overall, 2009
Tampa Bay Lightning
Playing career 2007–present

Playing career

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Junior

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As a youth, Pánik played in the 2004 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a team from Bratislava.[1]

Pánik played two years professionally for HC Oceláři Třinec of the Czech Extraliga (ELH) before being drafted in the second round, 52nd overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. He attended the Lightning's training camp ahead of the 2009–10 season but was ultimately cut from their roster, after which he joined the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).[2] Later that season, Pánik played for Slovakia at the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he scored two goals and three assists in five games.[3]

On 5 January 2010, the Spitfires sent Pánik to the Belleville Bulls in a blockbuster trade, along with Austen Brassard, Steve Gleeson, Paul Bezzo, a second-round pick in 2012, a third-round pick in 2010 and a seventh-round pick in 2012, in exchange for Philipp Grubauer, Marc Cantin and Stephen Johnson.[4]

Professional

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Turning professional in 2011–12, Pánik was a member of the Norfolk Admirals team that set the longest win streak in professional hockey in North America, winning a record-breaking 28 consecutive victories that season.[5] Pánik also helped the Admirals capture the Calder Cup championship in a 4–0 sweep over the Toronto Marlies.[6]

 
Pánik warming up before a game in October 2013.

Due to the 2012–13 NHL lockout that cancelled nearly half of the regular season, Tampa Bay assigned Pánik, as well as 17 others, to the Syracuse Crunch, the Lightning's new AHL affiliate for the 2012–13 season.[7][8] On 11 February 2013, several weeks after NHL play had resumed, the Lightning recalled Pánik,[9] where he later scored his first career NHL goal on 23 February against Dan Ellis of the Carolina Hurricanes in a 5–2 victory.[10] On 1 March, the Tampa Bay Lightning reassigned Pánik to Syracuse after playing nine games in the NHL, registering one goal from eight shots on net.[11] At the end of the AHL regular season, Pánik had played in 43 games with the Crunch, recording 21 goals and 35 points, including an AHL-high 12-game point streak from 2 November through 1 December 2013, with 17. Pánik then helped Syracuse reach the Calder Cup Final, though the team fell to the Grand Rapids Griffins in a 4–2 series defeat.[12]

Pánik made the 2013–14 Lightning roster out of training camp to begin the regular season.[13] Despite making the team, he saw his playing time dwindle as the season went on, however, and, after struggling to find consistency in his game, was demoted on 24 January 2014, to Syracuse.[14] Several months later, on 5 March, Tampa Bay again recalled Pánik from the Crunch.[15] He finished the regular season with 50 appearances for Tampa Bay, scoring three goals and ten assists for 13 points, in addition to Stanley Cup playoff games played against the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Quarter-finals.[16]

On 11 July 2014, Pánik signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with Tampa Bay. After failing to make the 2014–15 Lightning roster out of training camp, however, he was placed on waivers, where he was then claimed by the Toronto Maple Leafs on 9 October 2014.[17] On 25 October, he scored his first goal as a Maple Leaf in a 4–1 loss to the visiting Boston Bruins.[18] Pánik experienced a breakout season in Toronto, setting career-highs in games played (76), goals scored (11) and points (17). Following this noteworthy campaign, on 1 July 2015, Pánik signed a one-year, $925,000 contract with the Maple Leafs.[19]

Pánik was expected to play with the Maple Leafs in the 2015–16 season; however, he was beaten on the depth chart by new additions such as Brad Boyes and P. A. Parenteau. Additionally, the Maple Leafs claimed defenceman Frank Corrado off waivers on 6 October 2015. Having reached the maximum roster size, Pánik was placed on waivers with the purpose of being sent down to the Toronto Marlies.[20] Pánik cleared waivers the following day.

On 3 January 2016, after playing 32 games with the Marlies, Pánik was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Jeremy Morin.[21] He finished the season with the Blackhawks and was re-signed to a one year, $875,000 contract extension. Pánik scored his first career NHL hat-trick against the Nashville Predators on 15 October 2016. Pánik tallied a career-high 22 goals and 22 assists during the 2016–17 season.[22] On 11 May 2017, he signed a two-year extension worth $2.8 million per year with the Blackhawks.[23]

On 10 January 2018, Pánik (alongside Laurent Dauphin) was traded to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Anthony Duclair and Adam Clendening.[24]

On 1 July 2019, as a free agent from the Coyotes, Pánik left to sign a four-year $11 million contract with the Washington Capitals.[25]

During the pandemic delayed 2020–21 season, on 12 April 2021, Pánik was traded at the trade deadline to the Detroit Red Wings, along with Jakub Vrána, a first-round pick in 2021, and a second-round pick in 2022, in exchange for Anthony Mantha.[26][27] In closing out the regular season with the cellar-dwelling Red Wings, Pánik registered 1 goal and 4 points in 12 games.

On 16 July 2021, Pánik was traded by the Red Wings, along with a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, to the New York Islanders in exchange for Nick Leddy.[28] In the following 2021–22 season, after clearing waivers Pánik was assigned by the Islanders to AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders. He played in 28 games with the Bridgeport, recording seven goals and five assists for 12 points. He also collected one assist in four appearances in a recall with New York. On 28 March 2022, Pánik was loaned by the Islanders to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL for the remainder of the season.[29][30]

On 12 October 2022, Pánik signed a one-year contract with Lausanne HC of the Swiss National League (NL).[31] On 13 March 2023, the team announced that they would not re-sign Pánik after the team failed to qualify for the playoffs during the 2022–23 season.[32]

On 2 July 2023, Pánik agreed to return to HC Oceláři Třinec of the Czech Extraliga on a one-year contract.[33]

On 27 September 2024, HC Slovan Bratislava announced Pánik signed a short-term contract with the team, lasting until November league break.[34]

International play

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Pánik was selected to play for Slovakia at the 2010 IIHF World Championship, where he recorded two assists and finished a plus-minus rating of +3.

Pánik also represented Slovakia at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where the nation finished in 11th in the tournament; Pánik did not record a point.

Personal life

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In July 2016, Pánik married his long-time girlfriend, Nikola Kochanová.[35]

In April 2018, Pánik was arrested after refusing to leave the entrance of Bevvy, near Scottsdale, Arizona. He was later released with criminal citation.[36]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2004–05 HC Martimex ZŤS Martin SVK U18 2 1 0 1 0
2005–06 MHC Martin SVK U18 40 11 13 24 20 4 4 2 6 4
2006–07 HC Oceláři Třinec CZE U18 12 10 6 16 48 3 1 4 5 8
2006–07 HC Oceláři Třinec CZE U20 27 16 9 25 30 4 1 4 5 6
2007–08 HC Oceláři Třinec CZE U20 39 35 27 62 70 8 8 4 12 52
2007–08 HC Oceláři Třinec ELH 6 0 0 0 0
2008–09 HC Oceláři Třinec CZE U20 16 10 9 19 36 8 6 1 7 41
2008–09 HC Oceláři Třinec ELH 15 1 1 2 4 4 0 0 0 0
2008–09 HC Havířov Panthers CZE.2 3 2 1 3 0
2009–10 Windsor Spitfires OHL 33 9 9 18 19
2009–10 Belleville Bulls OHL 27 12 11 23 36
2009–10 Norfolk Admirals AHL 5 0 1 1 0
2010–11 Belleville Bulls OHL 27 14 17 31 33
2010–11 Guelph Storm OHL 24 13 12 25 42 6 1 2 3 10
2011–12 Norfolk Admirals AHL 64 19 22 41 62 18 5 1 6 23
2012–13 Syracuse Crunch AHL 51 22 19 41 81 16 9 5 14 59
2012–13 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 25 5 4 9 4
2013–14 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 50 3 10 13 21 2 0 0 0 4
2013–14 Syracuse Crunch AHL 13 3 8 11 8
2014–15 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 76 11 6 17 49
2015–16 Toronto Marlies AHL 33 9 16 25 34
2015–16 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 30 6 2 8 6 6 0 3 3 6
2016–17 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 82 22 22 44 58 4 0 1 1 2
2017–18 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 37 6 10 16 26
2017–18 Arizona Coyotes NHL 35 8 11 19 12
2018–19 Arizona Coyotes NHL 75 14 19 33 44
2019–20 Washington Capitals NHL 59 9 13 22 36 8 1 0 1 6
2020–21 Washington Capitals NHL 36 3 6 9 16
2020–21 Detroit Red Wings NHL 12 1 3 4 2
2021–22 Bridgeport Islanders AHL 28 7 5 12 22
2021–22 Chicago Wolves AHL 11 2 5 7 21 16 6 5 11 28
2022–23 Lausanne HC NL 19 4 5 9 12
NHL totals 517 88 106 194 274 20 1 4 5 18

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2007 Slovakia U18 5th 6 0 2 2 2
2008 Slovakia U18 7th 6 4 6 10 0
2009 Slovakia WJC 4th 7 2 3 5 4
2010 Slovakia WJC 8th 6 6 2 8 2
2010 Slovakia WC 12th 6 0 2 2 6
2011 Slovakia WJC 8th 6 7 2 9 12
2014 Slovakia OG 11th 4 0 0 0 0
2014 Slovakia WC 9th 7 0 0 0 2
2015 Slovakia WC 9th 7 0 2 2 2
2019 Slovakia WC 9th 7 1 6 7 2
2023 Slovakia WC 9th 7 3 2 5 2
Junior totals 31 19 15 34 20
Senior totals 38 4 12 16 14

Awards and honours

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Award Year
AHL
Calder Cup champion 2012, 2022 [37]
All-Star Game 2013

References

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  1. ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  2. ^ Tampa Bay Lightning reassigns right wing Richard Pánik to OHL Windsor
  3. ^ Richard Pánik, Hockey's Future
  4. ^ "Spits make blockbuster trade". Windsor Star. 5 January 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  5. ^ Norfolk, Admirals (11 October 2013). "#1: Admirals Win 28 Straight Games; Set Record". Admirals Press Release. Archived from the original on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  6. ^ Associated, Press (9 June 2012). "Norfolk Admirals win Calder Cup". ESPN NHL. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  7. ^ Tampa Bay, Lightning (14 June 2012). "Lightning Enter Into Affiliation Agreement With AHL's Syracuse Crunch". Bolts Report. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  8. ^ Tampa Bay, Lightning (14 September 2013). "Lightning Assign 18 Players to Syracuse of the AHL". Lightning News. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  9. ^ Tampa Bay, Lightning (11 February 2013). "Lightning Recall Forward Richard Panik From Syracuse". Lightning News. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  10. ^ "Lightning 5, Hurricanes 2". Tampa Bay Lightning. 23 February 2013.
  11. ^ Tampa Bay, Lightning (1 March 2013). "Lightning Reassign Forward Richard Panik to Syracuse of AHL". Lightning News. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  12. ^ Axe, Brent (19 June 2013). "Calder Cup Finals: The 2012-'13 Syracuse Crunch won't soon be forgotten even in defeat". Syracuse.com. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  13. ^ Fontana, John (30 September 2013). "2013-14 Tampa Bay Lightning Season preview part 6: Line projections and depth". SB Nation Raw Charge. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  14. ^ Kramer, Lindsay (24 January 2014). "Tampa Bay Lightning assigns forward Richard Panik to the Syracuse Crunch". Syracuse.com. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  15. ^ Kramer, Lindsay (24 January 2014). "Lightning Recall Richard Panik; Reassign Namestnikov to Syracuse". Syracuse.com. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  16. ^ Tampa Bay, Lightning (11 July 2014). "Lightning Re-sign Forward Richard Panik". Press Release. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  17. ^ "Leafs claim RW Panik off waivers from Lightning - TSN.ca". 9 October 2014.
  18. ^ The, Canadian Press (25 October 2014). "Maple Leafs beaten by Boston Bruins after emotional pre-game ceremony". Maple Leafs Game Recap. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  19. ^ Maple Leafs, Toronto (1 July 2015). "Maple Leafs sign Panik to one-year deal". Press Release. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  20. ^ Lance Hornby, Lance (6 October 2015). "Leafs pick up Frank Corrado, waive Richard Pánik". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  21. ^ Staff, TSN (3 January 2016). "Leafs acquire Morin from Blackhawks". TSN. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  22. ^ Hine, Chris (6 April 2017). "Despite short-handed loss to Ducks, Blackhawks enter playoffs with scoring depth". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  23. ^ "Blackhawks agree to extension with Panik". NHL.com. Chicago Blackhawks. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  24. ^ "Blackhawks acquire Duclair and Clendening from Coyotes". Chicago Blackhawks. 10 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  25. ^ "Capitals sign Richard Panik". Washington Capitals. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  26. ^ Pell, Samantha (12 April 2021). "Caps land Anthony Mantha from Red Wings in deadline blockbuster for Jakub Vrana, Richard Panik". The Washington Post. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  27. ^ Kujawa, Kyle (12 April 2021). "Red Wings acquire Vrana, Panik, 1st and 2nd Rounders from Caps for Mantha". NHL.com. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  28. ^ "Leddy traded to Red Wings by Islanders for Panik, pick". National Hockey League. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  29. ^ Islanders, Bridgeport. "New York Islanders Reassign Panik to Chicago (AHL)". www.bridgeportislanders.com. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  30. ^ "Wolves add Panik on loan from Islanders". American Hockey League. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  31. ^ Pattaroni, Michael (12 October 2022). "Richard Pánik au Lausanne Hockey Club". Lausanne HC (in Swiss French). Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  32. ^ Pattaroni, Michael (13 March 2023). "Le Lausanne Hockey Club mise sur la stabilité et confirme les arrivées de Suomela et de Djoos". Lausanne HC (in Swiss French). Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  33. ^ "Útočník Richard Pánik se vrací do Třince!". hcocelari.cz (in Czech). 2 July 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  34. ^ "Richard Pánik signs 2-month contract in Slovakia". The Hockey News. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  35. ^ "Panik gets hitched". hotelkastiel.com. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  36. ^ "Richard Panik arrest: Arizona Coyotes player arrested in Scottsdale". abc15.com. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  37. ^ Associated, Press (9 June 2012). "Norfolk Admirals win Calder Cup". ESPN NHL. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
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