Richard Zednik

Richard Zednik is a Slovakian winger on the Florida Panthers.

Zednik was drafted in 1994 by the Washington Capitals. He played only 12 games in his first two seasons, spending most of the time in the AHL. In 1997, he played in 65 games and scored 26 points. He was traded to Montreal in 2001. With Montreal, he had the best seasons of his career in 2002-03 and 2003-04, when he finished with 50 points both years. He was traded back to Washington in 2006, but ended up finishing that season with the New York Islanders. He signed with Florida in 2007. His season was cut short on February 10,2008, when he was struck by teammate Olli Jokinen’s skate. The blade sliced his neck, near the carotid artery. He could have died from the injury had medical attention not been given to him as quickly as it was, but he will return to the Panthers for the 2008-09 season.

Zednik played for Slovakia in the 2006 Winter Olympics, the 1996 and 2004 World Cups and the 2001, 2003 and 2005 World Championships, winning a bronze medal in 2003.