Background
Ruzicka, Vladimir was born on June 6, 1963 in Most, Czech Republic.
Ruzicka, Vladimir was born on June 6, 1963 in Most, Czech Republic.
Růžička was twice named the top player in the Czechoslovak Elite League, and was on the gold medal team in the Ice Hockey World Championship in 1985 and 1998 Olympic Games. He also played 233 games in the National Hockey League (National Hockey League). Since 2008, Růžička has been the head coach of both The Human Context Slavia Praha and the Czechoslovakian national ice hockey team
Růžička started his career with Czechoslovak side Litvínov, making his first appearance at the age of 16 and scoring after just 10 seconds in his first game, against Dukla Jihlava.
Růžička was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs 73rd overall in the 1982 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Despite this, he was barred from leaving Czechoslovakia by the Communist authorities.
He continued to play internationally for Czechoslovakia before finally making his National Hockey League debut in 1989. Růžička had a short career in the National Hockey League, playing a total of five seasons for the Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators.
His best season statistically came in 1991-1992 when he recorded 75 points (39 goals, 36 assists) with Boston, and led the team in scoring.
However, Růžička only played 25 regular season games and did not appear in the playoffs that season. Růžička finished his National Hockey League career with 233 games, scoring 82 goals and 85 assists. Růžička played 200 games for his national team, scoring 112 goals in the process.
He captained the gold medal winning Czechoslovakian Republic team at the 1998 Winter Olympics, going on to retire from the international team after the tournament.
Between 2002–2004 he was also an assistant coach of the Czechoslovakian national ice hockey team Růžička has coached the Czechoslovakian national ice hockey team to two gold medals.