Rostislav Klesla

Rostislav Klesla is a Czech defenseman on the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Klesla was drafted 4th overall by the Blue Jackets in 2000, as the fracnhise’s first ever entry draft pick. He played his junior hockey in the OHL with the Brampton Battalion, where he racked up 45 points and 174 penalty minutes in ‘99-00. The hollowing season, he tore it up again, and was called up to Columbus after scoring 18 goals and 54 points. He has played with the Blue Jackets for the last 8 seasons, and is one of the most all-around productive d-men on the club. His best season was in 2006-07, when he scored 22 points and had 105 penalty minutes. He missed some of the last two seasons with injuries, and will be looking to bounce back in the 2010-11 season.

Klesla played for the Czech Republic at the 2001 World Juniors and the 2002 and 2007 World Championships.