Pavel Kubina
CzechBiography of Pavel Kubina
Early Life and CareerPavel Kubina, a Czech professional ice hockey player, was born on April 15, 1977, in Cheladna, Czechoslovakia. He earned the nickname "Kubby". Kubina began his professional career with the ice hockey club "Vitkovice" in the Czech Extraliga, where he played for four seasons. In 1996, he was drafted by the "Tampa Bay Lightning" in the seventh round of the NHL Draft.
Entry into the NHL
In 1996, Kubina moved to Canada to play for the "Moose Jaw Warriors" in the Western Hockey League, where he scored 41 points in 61 games. He made his NHL debut during the 1997-1998 season, primarily playing for the "Adirondack Red Wings" in the American Hockey League. The following season, he played most of his games in the NHL, earning a total of 21 points, while occasionally playing for the "Cleveland Lumberjacks" in the International Hockey League.
Success in the NHL
In the 1999-2000 NHL season, Kubina solidified his position in the "Tampa Bay Lightning" lineup and scored 26 points. He continued to improve in the following seasons, earning 30 points in the 2000-2001 season and 34 points in the 2001-2002 season. In the 2003-2004 season, Kubina won the Stanley Cup with the "Tampa Bay Lightning".
Later Career
On July 1, 2006, Kubina signed a four-year, $20 million deal with the "Toronto Maple Leafs" as an unrestricted free agent. However, he was temporarily traded to the "Detroit Red Wings" during the preseason of the 2006-2007 season. In the 2006 Winter Olympics, Kubina represented the Czech Republic and won a bronze medal. On July 1, 2009, Kubina was traded to the "Atlanta Thrashers", while Colin Stuart and Garnet Exelby joined the "Toronto Maple Leafs" in return.
Personal Life
Kubina's wife, Andrea, gave birth to their first child, a daughter named Teresa, on November 9, 2006.
