Zmolek graduated from John Marshall High School in 1989. Zmolek attended the University of Minnesota of the WCHA and was awarded to the WCHA Second All-Star Team and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Second All-American Team in his junior and final year in 1992.
He was drafted 7th overall by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1989 National Hockey League Entry Draft held in Minnesota. Zmolek made his debut in the National Hockey League in the 1992-1993 season with the San Jose Sharks after he was earlier acquired from the North Stars in the dispersal draft on May 30, 1991. In his second year, Zmolek was traded back to the Stars franchise relocated in Dallas.
As a physical stay-at-home defenseman, Zmolek spent parts of two seasons with Dallas before stints with the Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks.
Zmolek retired after receiving a buyout during the 2000-2001 season after only playing 2 games with the Chicago Wolves of the IHL. Doug played 467 career National Hockey League games, scoring 11 goals and 53 assists for 64 points also registering 905 penalty minutes in his career. He also runs an off-season hockey camp, "Top Shelf," in Rochester, Minnesota. He has three sons who all play hockey, and he also had a 3-year-old daughter.
Riese, (15), William(12), Bennett(10), and Ella(5).
Since retirement, he has supported the Rochester Youth Hockey Association (RYHA) as an advisor and member of the board.
