Former Lightning Defenseman Pavel Kubina Retires

Former Lightning defenseman Pavel Kubina officially announced his retirement from the NHL today.

Tampa Bay drafted Kubina 179th overall in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. The fan favorite accumulated 110 goals, 386 points and 1,123 penalty minutes in his 13 year career with Tampa Bay, Toronto, Atlanta and Philadelphia. (Photo/Susan Ferlita)

In 1998-99, Kubina led all NHL rookies in average ice-time (22:47), netted nine goals, 21 points while playing in 68 games. He led all Lightning defencemen in goals (8), points (26), penalty minutes (93) and shots (128) in the 1999-00 season.

“Kubi” is third in games played with the Lightning (662) behind only Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier. He is in the career top ten players with the Bolts in assists (171), points (233), penalty minutes (784), power play goals (33), game winning goals (18) and shots (1153).

In the magical 2003-04 Stanley Cup regular season, Kubina  played in 81 games, scored a career-high 17 goals (including eight on the power play), had four game winning goals while recording 35 points, a plus-minus rating of +9, 85 penalty minutes and averaging 21:09 in ice time. During the playoff run, Kubina recorded four points and averaged 22:54 of ice-time in 22 games.

The 36 year old former defenseman also played for the Czech Republic in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics and won a bronze medal in 2006. His final NHL campaign was 2011-12, playing with the Lightning and the Flyers.

Via  the NHLPA, her is Kubina’s retirement statement:

The time has come to announce my retirement from the game of hockey.

This marks the end of a journey that started as a six-year-old boy in a tiny town in the Czech Republic and carried me through 970 games in the National Hockey League, many playoff games and a Stanley Cup Championship, three Olympics, and four World Championships over my 13-year NHL career.

I need to first thank my parents, who encouraged, pushed and humbled me when I needed it.  They drove me to thousands of practices and games as a boy, and without them, none of this journey would have ever been possible.I would also like to thank my wife, Andrea, and daughters, Tereza and Victoria, for being there for me through the good times and a bad, and supporting me in every decision I made.

I would like to thank all of the players and coaches I have played with and for, from my days as a youth to my Czech national teammates and those from four different NHL teams. You all helped me become the best defenseman I could be and have given me friendships I will treasure forever.The vast majority of my career in the NHL was spent with the Tampa Bay Lightning, including our memorable Stanley Cup Championship in 2004.

I wish I could say something about each and every one of my Lightning teammates and coaches, but the list would be too long and I wouldn’t want to leave anybody out. You know who you are and it was honor and a privilege to play with each and every one of you.

I do need to give special thanks, however, to the legendary Phil Esposito, who in the 1996 NHL Draft said: “I want that big kid from the Czech Republic, Kubina, I think.” Phil, I hope you are still glad you drafted me and thank you for this incredible opportunity.

Finally, I would like to thank the great Tampa Bay Lightning fans. Although I did not have the opportunity to play my final game in front of the same fans that I played my first game, which I desperately wanted to do, rest assured my heart, my skates, my No. 13 jersey and my home will always be here among you in Tampa Bay. Your cheers and your support throughout my career gave me fond memories that I will cherish for a lifetime.Finally, I would like to say Jeff Vinik is one of the best owners I have ever played for and Tampa Bay is very lucky to have him.

Thank you,

Pavel Kubina

Here’s how some players reacted to Kubina retiring:

“I would like to congratulate Pavel Kubina for his 14 years in the NHL, what a great accomplishment. Pavel has always been a great teammate on and off the ice. I had the pleasure of playing with and becoming a great friend and roommate of Pavel’s during his nine years with the Lightning. I had the chance to watch him become a top defenseman in the league and more importantly was his teammate when we won the Stanley Cup in 2004. I wish all the best to him and his beautiful family.” – Vincent Lecavalier

Congrats to my old teammate Pavel Kubina for great NHL Career! It was an honnor playing with you! Always smiling 24/7/365. – Enrico Ciccone

“Pavel was one of the best defenseman I played with during my NHL career. More importantly he was a great teammate and friend. I will always care about Pavel as one of my best friends.” – Mats Sundin.

“I will always look at Pavel from two angles: as an opponent and also like a teammate from spending a couple months together playing with the Philadelphia Flyers. The most important thing was our battles, when we stood against each other. He was on top of his hockey career when he won the Stanley Cup with Tampa. I have great memories from when we played together on the national team at the Olympics, and also the World Championship in 2005, which we won. It is sad that the Czech Republic is losing another great defenseman in the NHL, as he was a very experienced, quality hockey player.” – Jaromir Jagr.

Kubina lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with his wife Andrea and their two girls, Tereza and Victoria.

Feature box photo courtesy Clydeorama.

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