Austria's biggest ice hockey star ends his career

From an Austrian perspective, Vanek's successes will remain unique for a long time. He played over 1.000 games in the NHL, was the fifth-best goalscorer twice (2006/07 and 2008/09), is number 373 in the 120-year NHL history with 102 goals in the regular season and is even number 137 in power play goals (73). at number XNUMX.

Vanek in the Montreal Canadiens jersey. © APA / BRIAN FLUHARTY

2007 was his highlight year in the Buffalo Sabres' uniform: Vanek finished the season with 43 goals and was the winner of the plus/minus rating (for goals scored by his own team on the ice/plus and for goals conceded/minus). Sabers in the conference finals and received a contract extension on July 6th. Buffalo cost $50 million for his services over seven years. With an annual salary of $10 million, he was the top earner in ice hockey worldwide. In October, I was honored as Austria's Athlete of the Year 2007. “I can look back on a complete career. I wouldn't change anything in terms of ice hockey. That was unbelievable,” Vanek explained at the beginning of 2019 in an interview with the APA – Austria Press Agency on the occasion of his 1.000 game in the NHL regular season. The ice hockey gene in the blood Vanek, who was born in Baden near Vienna in January 1984, had the ice hockey gene in his blood. His father Zdenek, who came to Austria from Czechoslovakia with his mother Jarmila in 1982, was a professional himself. Zdenek Vanek played in Zell am See and Graz, where Thomas also took his first steps on the ice. The scouts gained international attention at the Pee-Wee tournament in Quebec, the largest youth tournament in the world. In 1998, Vanek became the first Austrian to make it to the All-Star team with 21 goals in 14 games, whereupon Canadian newspapers were reminded of the young Mario Lemieux.

Vanek is the biggest ice hockey star in Austria. © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / BRUCE BENNETT

The door to America was therefore open. Vanek went overseas alone at the age of 14 with only a very limited knowledge of English. After great youth success in Sioux Falls, he was faced with an enviable agony of choice - in several respects. The ice hockey superpower Slovakia showed interest in Vanek, whose mother comes from Slovakia, and invited him to a training camp in the summer of 2001. But the talent remained loyal to his homeland Austria. He found true love in Minnesota In addition, several universities wanted Vanek, who ultimately decided on Minnesota. The break in tradition by the university, which had signed a European for the first time in its history with the Austrian, was to pay off. As a “freshman” (first-year student), he led the “Golden Gophers” to the college title in 2002/03 and was voted the best player in the final tournament in Buffalo. Minnesota also became decisive privately. Vanek is married to his university sweetheart, Ashley, and they have made their home in Minnesota with their three sons.

Vanek played over 1000 NHL games. © APA / HELMUT FOHRINGER

As a spectator in the stands at the 2003 university final tournament: Lindy Ruff, head coach of the local NHL club Buffalo Sabres. A few months later, the Sabers secured the rights to Vanek. At the NHL Draft on June 21, 2003, Buffalo selected Vanek with the number five pick. Due to the salary dispute (lockout) and the cancellation of the entire NHL season, Vanek completed his first year as a professional with the farm team Rochester Americans, where he also made a great impact. The big dream was denied Finally, Vanek made his NHL debut on October 5, 2005. In his second year, the Austrian became a star in the league and was the fifth best goalscorer with 43 goals. The Edmonton Oilers really wanted to get Vanek and offered him a mega contract. But Buffalo didn't want to let its young star go and matched the $50 million contract offered by the Oilers. Vanek ended up playing in Buffalo until 2013, before he was transferred several times - often without his knowledge or involvement - and ultimately scored his goals for eight clubs.

He lived his big dream for 14 years, but Vanek was unable to fulfill his big dream. He was in the NHL semi-finals three times (2005/06 and 2006/07 with Buffalo and 2013/14 with the Montreal Canadiens), but it wasn't enough for the Stanley Cup. “It's so hard to win. I was close three times,” said Vanek. The winger played his last NHL game on March 23 of the previous year, after which his contract with the Detroit Red Wings expired. Vanek was without a contract in the current season, and after the transfer period ended on February 24th, he announced the end of his career.

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Austria's biggest ice hockey star ends his career

At the age of 14, Thomas Vanek set out to conquer the big ice hockey world. As a gifted goalscorer, he made his career in the strongest league in the world. After 14 years in the National Hockey League (NHL), the 36-year-old has now retired as the most renowned Austrian ice hockey player in history.

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