Vaclav Prospal

Václav "Vinny" Prospal (born February 17, 1975 in České Budějovice) is a Czech professional ice hockey left winger who is currently a head couch in the ČEZ Motor České Budějovice in the Chance Liga and he is playing for the HC Ds České Budějovice of the 2. Liga.

Playing career
Prospal was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, third round, 71st overall. He has previously played for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Flyers. While with the Flyers, Prospal suffered a fractured arm during the 1997 playoffs. Prospal and another player collided during the Flyers' practice session. During the 1997-98 season, Prospal, who was named to the 1998 Czech Olympic Hockey Team, broke his leg while fighting for the puck with Lance Pitlick during a game with the Senators; Prospal was unable to play in the 1998 Winter Olympics. Ironically, Prospal was traded to the Senators a few months later. During The Lockout, Prospal played for his hometown team HC České Budějovice, leading them in scoring and helping the team return to the Czech Extraliga.

At the beginning of the 2007-08 season, while with the Lightning, Prospal posted 12 goals and 10 assists making it his best career start. On February 25, 2008, Prospal was dealt back to the Flyers for defenseman Alexandre Picard and a 2009 second-round draft pick.

On June 18, 2008, the Lightning acquired the rights to Prospal in exchange for the Nashville Predators' seventh-round pick (previously acquired), 196th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. The Lightning signed Prospal to a four-year contract on June 30, which gave Philadelphia the conditional fourth-round pick in 2009.

On July 28, 2009, Prospal was bought out from the remaining three years of his contract with the Lightning and became a free agent. On August 16, 2009, Prospal signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the New York Rangers. He was named an alternate captain of the Rangers on November 3, 2009. On July 1, 2010, Prospal was re-signed by the Rangers to another one year deal worth $2.1 million. After he was not re-signed, he agreed to a 1-year $1.75 million deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the summer of 2011.