Lukáš Sedlák

Lukáš Sedlák (born on February 25, 1993 in České Budějovice) is a Czech professional ice hockey center/left winger currently playing with the Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL. Sedlák was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 6th round (158th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Club career
Sedlák played in his native Czech Republic in the junior ranks of HC České Budějovice. After the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Sedlák immediately embarked on transitioning to the North American game joining the Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the QMJHL for the 2011–12 season, with whom he was drafted with their first selection in the CHL Import Draft. He continued there also in the 2012-13 season.

On April 10, 2013, Sedlák was signed by the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL to a three-year, entry-level contract. He was assigned to begin his professional career with the Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons, for the 2013–14 season. He later continued there in the 2014-15 season.

Despite contributing in a depth role defensively, Sedlák was unable to produce offensively throughout the tenure of his rookie contract within the Blue Jackets organization. Sedlák surprisingly saw a late season spurt offensively toward the end of the 2015–16 season, continuing through to the play-offs, in recording 9 goals and 16 points in 17 games to help the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL claim the Calder Cup. He was re-signed by the Blue Jackets to a one-year extension in the midst of their playoff run on May 26, 2016.

Sedlák continued his ascent within the Blue Jackets organization after the summer in making the opening night roster for the 2016–17 season with the Blue Jackets. Initially on the roster as the teams extra forward, Sedlák drew into action in the Blue Jackets third game, making his NHL debut in a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on October 21, 2016. In his fourth game, Sedlák registered his first NHL point, an assist, in a 3-1 defeat to the San Jose Sharks on October 28, 2016. He scored his first NHL goal against goalie Petr Mrázek on December 9, 2016, in a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. He played 3 seasons in total with the Blue Jackets.

Following the completion of his third season with the Blue Jackets in the 2018–19 season, Sedlák opted to pause his NHL career as an impending restricted free agent, signing a two-year KHL contract with Russian club, the Traktor Chelyabinsk, on May 31, 2019. The contract was later extended until the end of the 2022-23 season.

International career
Sedlák played with the Czech National Team at the 2010 World U17 Hockey Challenge, 2011 World U18 Championship and at the 2012 and 2013 World Junior Championship s.