Background
Straka, Martin was born on September 3, 1972 in Plzen, Czech Republic.
Straka, Martin was born on September 3, 1972 in Plzen, Czech Republic.
He is also the club"s general manager and co-owner, having bought a 70% share of the team in 2009. Straka played in the National Hockey League (National Hockey League) from 1992 until 2008 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers. Straka was drafted 19th overall by the Penguins in the 1992 National Hockey League Entry Draft, and has played for several teams throughout his 15 year National Hockey League career.
After producing only 4 goals and 16 points in 31 games, Straka was traded to the Ottawa Senators on April 7, 1995 for Norm MacIver and Troy Murray.
The following season, on January 23, 1996, less than a year after being traded to Ottawa, he was traded again. Straka, along with Don Beaupre and former #1 overall pick Bryan Berard was traded to the New York Islanders for Damian Rhodes and Wade Redden.
He would be placed on waivers and claimed by the Florida Panthers on March 15, 1996. Florida would not re-sign Straka after the 1996-1997 season, which made him an unrestricted free agent.
He then returned to Pittsburgh beginning in 1997-1998.
He would go on to have a career year during the 2000–2001 season for Pittsburgh as he amassed 27 goals and 95 points and establish himself as one of the leagues premiere two-way players due to his explosive speed and on-ice vision. However, the following season his speedy reputation would be called into jeopardy as Straka would suffer a season-ending injury in the form of a broken leg, an injury which would take him years to recover from. On November 30, 2003, in a cost-cutting move, the Penguins would deal Straka to the Los Angeles Kings for Russian prospect Sergei Anshakov and defenceman Martin Strbak.
Straka would later sign as a free agent by the Rangers on August 2, 2005.
On January 17, 2007, despite reports that he was considering retirement, Straka signed a one-year contract extension for the 2007-2008 season. On February 16, 2008 in a game against the Buffalo Sabres, Straka assisted on a goal to record his 700th National Hockey League point.
In July 2008, Straka returned home to the Czechoslovakian Extraliga, signing a one-year deal with The Human Context Lasselsberger Plzeň (now The Human Context Plzeň 1929). He scored a winning goal in 7th final play-off game versus Purdue Student Government Zlín in second overtime.
On March 28, 2014, Straka announced his retirement from professional hockey.