Robert Reichel

Robert Reichel (born June 25, 1971) is a Czech former professional ice hockey centre and coach. He began his career with HC Litvínov of the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League; his 49 goals in 1989–90 was the second highest total in Czechoslovak history. Reichel played 11 National Hockey League (NHL) seasons for the Calgary Flames, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes and Toronto Maple Leafs. In 830 career NHL games, he scored 252 goals and 378 assists for 630 points. He also played with the Frankfurt Lions of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He ended his player career in 2010 in HC Litvínov, where he served as captain of the team.

Internationally, Reichel represented Czechoslovakia and later the Czech Republic on numerous occasions. He was an all-star at the European Junior, World Junior and World Championship levels and appeared in Canada Cup and World Cup of Hockey tournaments. He was a member of three gold and four bronze medal teams at the World Championships. A two-time Olympian, Reichel scored the lone shootout goal to eliminate Canada en route to a gold medal victory for the Czech Republic at the 1998 Winter Olympics. He was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2015.

Playing career

Litvínov, Calgary and New York Reichel began his elite playing career at the age of 16 when he joined CHZ Litvínov of the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League. Anticipating future availability of eastern European players to their teams, National Hockey League (NHL) general managers selected several Soviet Bloc players at the 1989 NHL entry draft. Reichel was selected in the fourth round, 70th overall, by the Calgary Flames. Reichel remained with Litvínov for the 1989–90 season where he had one of the greatest seasons in Czechoslovak history; in 52 games combined between the regular season and playoffs, Reichel scored 49 goals, the second highest total in the history of the Czechoslovak First League. He was named an all-star and forward of the year and finished as runner-up to Dominik Hašek as player of the year.

Upon his departure to Calgary for the 1990–91 NHL season, Reichel was considered Czechoslovakia's top prospect. He made his NHL debut on October 8, 1990, against the Winnipeg Jets and scored his first point and goal on October 20, against Boston Bruins' goaltender Réjean Lemelin. Reichel completed his first NHL season with 41 points, then improved to 54 points in 1991–92.

A labour dispute resulted in the cancellation of the first half of the 1994–95 NHL season, and Reichel spent the time with the Frankfurt Lions of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He recorded 43 points in 21 games for Frankfurt before returning to the NHL, where he added 35 points in 48 games for Calgary. He made C$ 725,000 in 1994–95, and was offered US$1 million to remain with Frankfurt. Unable to come to terms with Calgary, Reichel returned to Frankfurt for the 1995–96 season. The Flames sent him to the New York Islanders on March 18, 1997, in exchange for Marty McInnis, Tyrone Garner and a sixth round selection in the 1997 NHL entry draft. In 12 games with the Islanders to finish the season, Reichel recorded 19 points and finished the year with 62 combined between the two teams. A restricted free agent following the season, Reichel sought a contract worth $3 million per season. When he was unable to attract interest at that price, Reichel opted to return to Litvínov, now in the Czech Extraliga.

He played two seasons with Litvínov and averaged greater than a point per game. In his first season with the Maple Leafs, 2001–02, he scored 20 goals – the seventh time in his NHL career he had done so – and 51 points. His production declined over the following two seasons, recording 42 points in 2002–03 and 30 in 2003–04. He led the 1990 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in scoring with 21 points. In doing so, he became the only player in history to lead both the European and World Junior Championships in scoring.

Having earned a spot with the senior team at the 1990 World Championships, Reichel was placed on a line with two other young players, Bobby Holík and Jaromír Jágr. The line starred at the event; Reichel recorded 11 points in the tournament as Czechoslovakia won the bronze medal. Reichel was named to the tournament all-star team. Two more all-star appearances followed, in 1996 and 2001, The Czechs went on to defeat Russia in the final to win the nation's first Olympic gold medal. His nephew Lukas Reichel is also a hockey player and was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the 2020 NHL entry draft. His son Kristian Reichel, also a hockey player, plays for the Winnipeg Jets affiliate Manitoba Moose.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs

International Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM 1988 Czechoslovakia WJC 738112 1988 Czechoslovakia EJC 684126 1989 Czechoslovakia WJC 74484 1989 Czechoslovakia EJC 61472122 1990 Czechoslovakia WJC 71110214 1990 Czechoslovakia WC 1056114 1991 Czechoslovakia WC 824610 1991 Czechoslovakia CC 51236 1992 Czechoslovakia WC 81342 1996 Czech Republic WC 84480 1996 Czech Republic WCH 31010 1997 Czech Republic WC 91454 1998 Czech Republic Oly 63030 1998 Czech Republic WC 80440 2000 Czech Republic WC 92354 2001 Czech Republic WC 957124 2002 Czech Republic Oly 41012 2003 Czech Republic WC 84482 2004 Czech Republic WCH 40002 Junior totals 3340337338 Senior totals 9930417140

Awards and honours Award Year Ref. EJC all-star team 19881989 WJC Directorate Award for best forward 1990 WJC all-star team 1990