Martin Prusek

Martin Prusek (born December 11, 1975) is a Czech a former professional ice hockey goaltender and currently ice-hockey goaltender coach. Prusek has played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets. Prusek currently is a coach in Czech Extraliga's HC Vítkovice Steel.

Playing career
Martin Prusek started his professional ice hockey career in 1994 when he joined HC Vitkovice of the Czech Extraliga. After playing there for five seasons, Prusek was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the sixth round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft with the 164th overall pick. He made his North American debut with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League during the 2001–02 season. He also made his National Hockey League debut that same season, appearing in one game with the Senators.

Prusek appeared in 47 games with the Senators over the following two seasons. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, he returned to the Czech Republic to play for Vitkovice and HC JME Znojemští Orli. He came back to North America for the 2005–06 season, joining the Columbus Blue Jackets. After spending most of the 2005–06 season with the Blue Jackets AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch, Prusek left North America and joined SKA Saint Petersburg in the Russian Super League. During 2007–08, he rejoined HC Vitkovice in the Czech Extraliga. In 2008-09 Prusek played in Kontinental Hockey League and after a brief contract with HC Spartak Moscow, he joined Dinamo Riga for 2 seasons. After the 2009-10 season, Prusek once again rejoined HC Vítkovice Steel. Although he was suffered with carditis and played just in 2 Extraliga games during all the 2010-11 season, he reached a silver medal.

In summer 2011 he stepped into HC Vítkovice Steel pre-season players' camp, but on July, 26 he announced his retirement decision and also he accepted the club's offer for the position of goaltender coach.

Awards

 * Hap Holmes Memorial Award (lowest GAA in AHL): 2001–02 season (with Mathieu Chouinard and Simon Lajeunesse)

International achievements
Martin Prusek's first international team game was the game against Russia on December, 17th, 1995 in Moscow.