Dominik "The Dominator" Hasek

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BIOGRAPHY

BORN: Pardubice, Czechoslovakia, January 29, 1965
HOME:
HEIGHT: 5'11"
WEIGHT: 165-168 lbs.
UNIFORM #: 31 (Chicago), 39 (Buffalo, Detroit, Czech Republic)
CATCHES: Left
LAST AMATEUR TEAM: Pardubice CZECH.
SALARY (1996-97): $4,200,000

STYLE: Flopper, very unorthodox.
STRENGTHS: Excellent concentration, and very strong when given a clear view of the puck. Tremendous foot speed. Likes to see the first shot, and has good control of rebounds. In goalmouth scrambles, will often drop his stick and grab the puck with his blocker hand. Unflappable, and always prepared.
WEAKNESSES: Very unusual goaltending habits. If he's off his game, his style hurts him. Absolutely brutal with the stick.
WHERE TO SHOOT: Blocker-side high.
Name pronounced HA-shek.

OTHER DOMINIK HASEK SITES:

Dominik Hasek - The Greatest Goalie on the Planet
Hasek's House of Vezina Trophies

QUOTABLE:

"I had noticed earlier that when there was a breakaway, the forward was usually sprung by a hard pass or a blocked shot. Either way, there was a couple of seconds when he was looking down at the bouncing puck, trying to get it under control. That's when I have to hit him. By the time he looks up, I'm on top of him. It would work nine out of 10 times. And when it did, the people would go crazy, and the whole team would get a lift. When the players see the goalie attack like that, the aggressiveness rubs off, and even if the other team scores, the whole team might still get a lift from it." (Fischler, Resch, "Hot Goalies" (1997), p. 18)

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

"If nothing else, the Sabres know Dominik Hasek will keep them close in most games. He has been, arguably, the league's best goaltender for the past three years. Hasek led the league in save percentage last season even though he was bombarded with shots. After hearing trade rumors throughout 1995-96, he signed a three-year contract with a no-trade clause over the summer. Hasek is a great athlete whose superb, if unorthodox, play will keep fans in the new building entertained." (The Sporting News Hockey Yearbook 1996-97, p. 44)

"Drops his stick, covers with his blocking hand, covers with his face. Nobody stops 'em like Dominik." (ESPN Hockey 96, p. 81)

"The reigning Vezina, Hart and Lester B. Pearson Trophies winner is coming off a career season, but there are many problems. Many believe Hasek had [Ted] Nolan fired and that could hurt him in the dressing room as well as in terms of public perception, especially if the performance slips." (The Hockey News 1997-98 Yearbook, p. 81)

"If Hasek puts his problems and the problems the team and fans have with him behind him (three straight wins ought to do it), the Sabres will be as strong as ever..." (The Hockey News 1997-98 Yearbook, p. 81)

"The "Dominator" was the league's best player last year, winning the MVP awards voted on by both the players and the media. For years, people have been waiting for him to come back to Earth, but it just hasn't happened. Again the situation in the Queen City will be a case of "so goes Hasek, so go the Sabres."" (The Sports Forecaster Hockey '97-'98, p. 76)

"He may be the most unorthodox goaltender in the history of the sport, but Dominik Hasek does one thing exceptionally well - he stops pucks. Some say that he alone is responsible for the team's success. That may be stretching it, but no player was more important to his team than Hasek, who was awarded the Hart Trophy as league MVP." (The Sports Forecaster Hockey '97-'98, p. 76)

"Dominik Hasek's flopping style in goal is often described as unorthodox, but he may do one of the basics - squaring up on the initial shot - as well as any goalie in recent history. Pucks frequently hit him in the chest or upper thigh, making rebounds easier for him to control and giving his defensemen a better chance to clear the crease. Hasek deserves credit for being more fundamentally sound that most observers think." (Pierre Maguire, Sports Illustrated, May 25, 1998, p. 92)

"At the Olympics, I'd practice taking penalty shots on him every day. I couldn't beat him. Usually in that kind of situation, I'd be able to score about 50 percent of the time. Against him, not once. He has no weaknesses." (Martin Rucinsky, ESPN Sportszone, April 1998)

"He definately is creative when it comes to style. He has some different moves that other guys wouldn't even think of doing in practice." (Curtis Joseph, Toronto Sun, 5/23/99)

"Hasek is the reason Buffalo got to the Stanley Cup final. Once again, the two-time Hart Trophy and five-time Vezina Trophy winner was the NHL's top goalie last season. He had his best year statistically. Perhaps the most spectacular goaltender of all time. Comes up with saves other goalies don't even both attempting to make. He has no style whatsoever and judging by his flexibility, apparently also has a Slinky for a spine as the commercial suggests. Loves to roam. An average puckhandler who tries to act as a third defenseman. He will remain the franchise and play whenever he wants." (The Sports Forecaster 1999-2000, p. 78)

"After first announcing he's retire after last season, Hasek rescinded because of an injury-filled year. Therefore the man with no apparent spinal cord will make one last attempt at winning the Stanley Cup. While "The Dominator" rarely showed his old form last season, he should be plenty motivated this time around. The Sabres may have a tough decision to make at the trade deadline on whether or not to deal their star goaltender. Either way, Hasek will most likely get one final shot at winning it all." (The Sports Forecaster 2000-01, p. 68)

"The Buffalo Sabres' goalie lost some of his (unbeatable) mystique last year, but don't count him out just yet." (The Hockey News 2000-01 Yearbook, p. 11)

"In 2000-01, Hasek reached the 500-games played mark as well as the 50-shutouts plateau in his stellar career. The veteran Czech had a slow start to the season but rebounded well to win his sixth Vezina Trophy. Overall, it was a typical Hasek year. He led the NHL in shutouts (11), finished tied for third in wins (37), fourth in goals-against average (2.11) and tied for fourth in save percentage (.921). He's no longer "The Dominator" of old but this scaled-down version is still a Top 10 netminder. The Red Wings acquired Hasek with one goal in mind - to finally see the 36-year-old sip from the Stanley Cup." (The Sports Forecaster 2001-02, p. 157)

"'The Dominator' is now the big question mark in Ottawa. With the rest of the team as solid as any in the NHL on paper, the Czech veteran is in the spotlight. Can Hasek still lead a club to the Stanley Cup at age 40? GM John Muckler is banking his job on it." (The Sports Forecaster 2005-06, p. 101)

THE LIGHTER SIDE:

"Two years ago, when his teammates kidded him about resembling Kramer from Seinfeld, he angrily tossed a teammate's suit down the toilet." Tom Farrey, ESPN Magazine, March 1998

TRANSACTIONS:

ACCOLADES:

VEZINA TROPHY BALLOTING:

PTS1st2nd3rdRANKSHARE
1993-9499158010.76
1994-95104176110.80
1995-96911180.07
1996-97120223110.92
1997-98126242010.97
1998-9973810310.54
1999-00401180.03
2000-0185912410.57
2001-02601360.04
2005-06401170.03
2006-07500550.03

ALL-STAR TEAM BALLOTING:

PTS1st2nd3rdRANKSHARE
1993-94224406610.83
1994-9573141010.97
1995-96802270.03
1996-972374012110.89
1997-98259503010.98
1998-992203513610.79
2000-0116019181110.52
2001-0231141440.10
2005-062005570.03
2006-0758034930.08

HART TROPHY BALLOTING:

INJURIES:

RECORDS:

FIRSTS:

MILESTONES:

PENALTY SHOTS:

NHL SHOOTOUTS:

DID YOU KNOW?

SEASON RECORDS:

REGULAR SEASON
Year  Team                        GP    Min   W   L   T  OL     GA    GAA   Shots    Sv%   ShO   G   A   PiM     S/60    PERS     3STARS
81-82 HC Pardubice CZECH          12    661                     34   3.09                    0
82-83 HC Pardubice CZECH          42   2358                    105   2.67                    0
      Czechoslovakia WORLD         2    120   1   1   0          5   2.50                    1
83-84 HC Pardubice CZECH          40   2304                    108   2.81                    0
84-85 Czechoslovakia CANADA CUP    4    188   0   3   1         12   4.00                    0
      HC Pardubice CZECH          42   2419                    131   3.25                    0
      Czechoslovakia WORLD JUNIOR  7    380   4   0   2         10   1.89                    0
85-86 HC Pardubice CZECH          45   2689                    138   3.08                    0
      Czechoslovakia WORLD         9    538   5   3   1         19   2.12                    0
86-87 HC Pardubice CZECH          43   2515                    103   2.46                    0
      Czechoslovakia WORLD         9    520   5   2   2         19   2.19                    1
87-88 Czechoslovakia CANADA CUP    6    360   2   3   1         20   3.00                    0
      HC Pardubice CZECH          31   2265                     98   2.60                    0
      Czechoslovakia OLYMPICS      8    217   3   2   0         18   4.98                    1
88-89 HC Pardubice CZECH          42   2507                    114   2.73                    0
      Czechoslovakia WORLD        10    600   4   4   2         21   2.10                    2
89-90 Dukla Jihlava CZECH         40   2251                     80   2.13                    0
      Czechoslovakia WORLD         8    480   5   3   0         20   2.50                    1
90-91 Chicago Blackhawks NHL       5    195   3   0   1          8   2.46      93   .914     0   0   0     0    28.62  961.67
      Indianapolis Ice IHL        33   1903  20  11   1         80   2.52                    5
91-92 Czechoslovakia CANADA CUP    5    300   1   4   0         18   3.60     140   .871     0
      Indianapolis Ice IHL        20   1162   7  10   3         69   3.56                    1
      Chicago Blackhawks NHL      20   1014  10   4   1         44   2.60     413   .893     1   0   0     8    24.44  934.19
92-93 Buffalo Sabres NH           28   1429  11  10   4         75   3.15     720   .896     0   0   0     0    30.23  946.22
93-94 Buffalo Sabres NH           58   3358  30  20   6        109   1.95    1552   .930     7   0   3     6    27.73  975.99
94-95 HC Paradubice CZECH          2    125                      6   2.88
      Buffalo Sabres NHL          41   2416  19  14   7         85   2.11    1221   .930     5   0   0     2    30.32  980.92
95-96 Buffalo Sabres NHL          59   3416  22  30   6        161   2.83    2011   .920     2   0   1     6    35.32  978.81
96-97 Buffalo Sabres NHL          67   4036  37  20  10        153   2.27    2177   .930     5   0   3    30    32.36  983.65
97-98 Buffalo Sabres NHL          72   4219  33  23  13        147   2.09    2149   .932    13   0   2    12    30.56  982.53
      Czech Republic OLYMPICS      6    369   5   1   0          6   0.97     155   .961     2   0   0     4
98-99 Buffalo Sabres NHL          64   3817  30  18  14        119   1.87    1877   .937     9   0   0    14    29.50  985.78
99-00 Buffalo Sabres NHL          35   2066  15  11   6         76   2.21     937   .919     3   0   1    12    27.21  964.24
00-01 Buffalo Sabres NHL          67   3904  37  24   4        137   2.11    1726   .921    11   0   3    22    26.53  964.84  8-11-8 (81)
01-02 Detroit Red Wings NHL       65   3872  41  15   8        140   2.17    1654   .915     5   0   1     8    25.63  958.07
      Czech Republic OLYMPICS      4    239   1   2   1          8   2.01     105   .924     0   0   0     0    26.36  967.74
02-03                                   DID NOT PLAY - RETIRED FROM PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY
03-04 Detroit Red Wings NHL       14    817   8   3   2         30   2.20     324   .907     2   0   2     2
05-06 Ottawa Senators NHL         43   2584  28  10       4     90   2.09    1202   .925     5   0   0    16
06-07 Detroit Red Wings NHL       56   3341  38  11       6    114   2.05    1309   .913     8   0   2    20
FIFTEEN (15) NHL SEASONS         694  40484 362 213  82  10   1488   2.21   19365  0.923    76   0  18   158

POST-SEASON
Year  Team                        GP    Min   W   L   GA    GAA   Shots    Sv%   ShO   G   A   PiM     S/60    PERS   3STARS
90-91 Indianapolis Ice IHL         1     60   1   0    3   3.00                    0
      Chicago Blackhawks NHL       3     69   0   0    3   2.61      39   .923     0   0   1     0    33.91  979.60
91-92 Chicago Blackhawks NHL       3    158   0   2    8   3.04      70   .886     0   0   0     0    26.58  930.02
92-93 Buffalo Sabres NHL           1     45   1   0    1   1.33      24   .958     0   0   0     0    32.00 1011.67
93-94 Buffalo Sabres NHL           7    484   3   4   13   1.61     261   .950     2   0   0     2    32.36 1004.12
94-95 Buffalo Sabres NHL           5    309   1   4   18   3.50     131   .863     0   0   0     0    25.44  904.99
96-97 Buffalo Sabres NHL           3    153   1   1    5   1.96      68   .926     0   0   0     2    26.67  970.92
97-98 Buffalo Sabres NHL          15    947  10   5   32   2.03     514   .938     1   0   0     4    32.57  992.02
98-99 Buffalo Sabres NHL          19   1217  13   6   36   1.77     587   .939     2   0   1     8    28.94  986.90
99-00 Buffalo Sabres NHL           5    301   1   4   12   2.39     147   .918     0   0   0     2    29.30  967.20
00-01 Buffalo Sabres NHL          13    833   7   6   29   2.09     347   .916     1   0   0    14    24.99  958.08   0-2-3  (9)
01-02 Detroit Red Wings NHL       23   1455  16   7   45   1.86     562   .920     6   0   1     8    23.18  958.55
06-07 Detroit Red Wings NHL       18   1139  10   8   34   1.79     444   .923     2   0   0     2
TWELVE (12) NHL POSTSEASONS      115   7111  63  47  236   1.99    3194  0.926    14   0   3    42

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