Marek Svatos

Marek Svatoš (June 17, 1982 – November 5, 2016) was a Slovak professional ice hockey forward of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career
Svatoš was drafted 227th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He played his first NHL games for the Avalanche in the 2003–2004 season. Following a strong performance in the Avalanche's second round loss in the playoffs before the lock out, Svatoš recorded his first career hat-trick in the NHL against the Calgary Flames in a 7–3 win on October 10. Svatoš was chosen to play in the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin, Italy as part of the Slovakian national team.

On March 9, 2006, it was announced that Svatoš sustained a fracture on his right shoulder that forced him to miss the rest of the 2005–06 NHL season. At the time of his injury, Svatoš led the NHL in game-winning goals with nine, which tied an NHL record for game-winning goals by a rookie. He was also one of the top rookie scorers with 32 goals.

Svatoš' numbers dropped in 2006–07 NHL season, his second season. He recorded 15 goals and 15 assists in 66 games although suffering a re-occurring groin injury throughout various points in the season.

Svatoš was leading the Avalanche with 26 goals during the 2007–08 NHL season when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in a game against the Los Angeles Kings on March 1, 2008. Svatoš missed the final sixteen games of the season but still finished second in goals on the team. Svatoš also missed all of the playoffs.

On July 25, 2008, Svatoš re-signed with the Avalanche for a further two-years avoiding arbitration scheduled on the same day. Svatoš managed to return to the opening night roster for the 2008-09 season, recovering from his ACL tear gradually as the season went on. He played in 69 games in 08-09 before injuring his hand on April 7, 2009, in a 0-1 overtime loss against the San Jose Sharks in San Jose, ending his play with three games left in the season. His 14 goals tied Wojtek Wolski for fourth on the Avs.

Awards

 * 2000–01 WHL All-Rookie Team
 * 2001–02 WHL West Second All-Star Team

International play
Played for Slovakia in:


 * 2000 World U18 Championships
 * 2002 World Junior Championships
 * 2006 Winter Olympics