Ľubomír Višňovský

Ľubomír Višňovský (born August 11, 1976 in Topoľčany, Czechoslovakia), is a Slovak professional ice hockey defenceman with the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career
Prior to joining the NHL, Višňovský played with Slovan Bratislava. His play attracted the attention of the NHL and he was drafted 118th overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings as their 4th choice. He made the team for the 2000–01 season and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team after a 39-point campaign, tops among rookie defencemen. Višňovský remained with the Kings for seven seasons, recording a career-high 67 points in 2005–06.

Višňovský returned to play in his home country for the locked out 2004–05 season and was voted best player in Slovakia.

On June 29, 2008, Višňovský was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for forward Jarret Stoll and defenceman Matt Greene on the day before his no trade clause would take effect. He was put on the injured reserve on February 5, 2009, after dislocating his shoudler in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on February 3. It was later revealed Višňovský required season-ending surgery to repair his labrum.

Awards

 * Named Best Defenceman in Slovakia in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005.
 * Voted Best Player in Slovakia in 2005.
 * Named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2001.
 * Played in the NHL All-Star Game in 2007.

International play
Višňovský has competed for Slovakia in the following competitions:
 * 1996 World Championships
 * 1996 World Cup
 * 1997 World Championships
 * 1998 Winter Olympics
 * 1998 World Championships
 * 1999 World Championships
 * 2000 World Championships (silver)
 * 2002 Winter Olympics
 * 2002 World Championships (gold)
 * 2003 World Championships (bronze)
 * 2004 World Cup
 * 2006 Winter Olympics
 * 2008 World Championships