Roman Hamrlik

Roman Hamrlík (born April 12, 1974) is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career
Drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft from ZPS Zlín, Hamrlík plays as a defenceman who typically takes on an offensive role for his team, especially on the powerplay. His offensive prowess has earned him the role of the "powerplay quarterback", as he often heads the offense in a powerplay.

He was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Calgary Flames on August 12, 2005, to a reported two-year, seven million dollar contract. On July 2, 2007, he signed a four-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens worth a total of $22 million.

Hamrlík has also played for the Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders, and, on the international level, represented the Czech Republic at the 1998 Winter Olympics, where he was part of the gold medal-winning team.

In February 2009, La Presse reported that Hamrlík, along with teammates Sergei and Andrei Kostitsyn, had links with Pasquale Mangiola, a member of an organized crime organization who was arrested during "Operation Axe" and charged with firearms and drugs offense. According to ESPN, the NHL will send security officials to investigate the links between the players and Mangiola, though La Presse also reported that the three players were not involved in any criminal activities and no investigation against them are planned.

Hamrlík has been referred to by the nickname "The Hammer" since his younger days in the NHL, referring to both a play on his name and the tremendous impact he has when hitting other players into the boards.

Hamrlik signed a two-year contract worth $7 million with the Washington Capitals on July 1, 2011.

Awards

 * Played in three NHL All-Star Games &mdash; 1996, 1999, 2003

Personal life
Hamrlik has an older brother, Martin Hamrlik, who was drafted by Hartford in 1991, but who never reached the NHL. He currently plays for Zlín.

International play

 * Won gold medal with Czech Republic at 1998 Winter Olympics
 * Played also in 2002 Winter Olympics, 1996 and 2004 World Cup of Hockey, 1994 and 2004 World Championships