Ľubomír Višňovský (; born 11 August 1976) is a Slovak former professional ice hockey defenceman. He began and finished his professional career with HC Slovan Bratislava. He played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, and New York Islanders.
Playing career Prior to joining the NHL, Višňovský played with HC Slovan Bratislava. He was drafted 118th overall in the 2000 NHL entry draft by the Los Angeles Kings as their fourth choice. He made the team for the 2000–01 season and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team after a 39-point campaign, tops among rookie defencemen. Višňovský remained with the Kings for seven seasons, recording a career-high 67 points in 2005–06 and being named to the 2007 NHL All-Star Game. He returned to play in his home country for the locked out 2004–05 season.
On 29 June 2008, Višňovský was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for forward Jarret Stoll and defenceman Matt Greene, on the day before his no-trade clause would take effect. He was put on the injured reserve on 5 February 2009, after dislocating his shoulder in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on 3 February. It was later revealed Višňovský required season-ending surgery to repair his labrum.
On 3 March 2010, Višňovský was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for Ryan Whitney and a sixth-round pick in the 2010 NHL entry draft. On 4 March 2011, Višňovský scored the first hat trick by a defenceman in Anaheim Ducks history, the third goal coming with four seconds left in overtime.
On 22 June 2012, Višňovský was traded to the New York Islanders for a second round pick in the 2013 NHL entry draft. Shortly thereafter, Višňovský filed a grievance through the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) seeking to void the trade, claiming that the no-trade clause in his original contract with Los Angeles was still valid, since he never revoked it when Edmonton traded him to Anaheim. An arbitrator ruled against Višňovský in this case and the trade was upheld.
The Islanders suspended Višňovský because he did not report to the team for the start of the NHL season. His agent, Neil Sheehy, said on 26 January 2013, that Višňovský will report to the team by 11 February. Višňovský later signed a two-year extension with the Islanders worth $4.75 million per year.
After parts of three seasons with the Islanders, Višňovský left as a free agent and was unsigned over the summer. On 16 September 2015, he was signed to a professional tryout (PTO) contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. Upon his release at the conclusion of training camp by the Blackhawks, Višňovský returned to HC Slovan Bratislava midway into the 2015–16 season, signing a one-year deal on 27 October 2015. Višňovský announced his retirement in March 2016.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM1994–95HC Slovan BratislavaSlovak3611102110 9 1 3 4 21995–96HC Slovan BratislavaSlovak35 8 6142213 1 5 6 21996–97HC Slovan BratislavaSlovak4411122320 2 0 1 1 21997–98HC Slovan BratislavaSlovak36 7 9161611 2 4 6 81998–99HC Slovan BratislavaSlovak40 910193110 5 510 01999–00HC Slovan BratislavaSlovak5221244538 8 5 3 8162000–01Los Angeles KingsNHL81 7323936 8 0 0 0 0 2001–02Los Angeles KingsNHL72 4172114 4 0 1 1 0 2002–03Los Angeles KingsNHL57 8162428 — — — — —2003–04Los Angeles KingsNHL58 8212926 — — — — —2004–05HC Slovan BratislavaSlovak431325384014 21012102005–06Los Angeles KingsNHL8017506742 — — — — —2006–07Los Angeles KingsNHL6918405826 — — — — —2007–08Los Angeles KingsNHL82 8334134 — — — — —2008–09Edmonton OilersNHL50 8233130 — — — — —2009–10Edmonton OilersNHL5710223216 — — — — —2009–10Anaheim DucksNHL16 5 813 4 — — — — —2010–11Anaheim DucksNHL8118506824 6 0 3 3 22011–12Anaheim DucksNHL68 62127 7 — — — — — 2012–13HC Slovan BratislavaKHL32 6101622 — — — — —2012–13New York IslandersNHL35 3111420 6 0 2 2 2 2013–14New York IslandersNHL24 3 81110 — — — — —2014–15New York IslandersNHL53 51520 8 4 0 2 2 02015–16HC Slovan BratislavaKHL9 2 810 2 4 0 0 0 0 Slovak totals 286 80 98 178 157 67 16 31 47 38 NHL totals883128367495373280884
International
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 1994 Slovakia WJC C 17th 4 1 1 2 0 1995 Slovakia WJC B 10th 7 1 6 7 4 1996 Slovakia WJC 7th 6 1 5 6 4 1996 Slovakia WC 10th 5 0 1 1 4 1996 Slovakia WCH 7th 1 0 0 0 0 1997 Slovakia WC 9th 8 0 1 1 4 1998 Slovakia OG 10th 3 0 0 0 2 1998 Slovakia WC 7th 4 0 0 0 2 1999 Slovakia WC 7th 6 0 2 2 6 2000 Slovakia WC 9 0 6 6 2 2002 Slovakia OG 13th 3 1 2 3 0 2002 Slovakia WC 5 2 1 3 2 2003 Slovakia WC 9 4 8 12 2 2004 Slovakia WCH 7th 4 0 0 0 6 2005 Slovakia WC 5th 7 2 6 8 0 2006 Slovakia OG 5th 6 1 1 2 0 2008 Slovakia WC 13th 5 2 7 9 0 2010 Slovakia OG 4th 7 2 1 3 0 2011 Slovakia WC 10th 3 0 2 2 0 Junior totals 17 3 12 15 8 Senior totals 85 14 38 52 30
Awards and honours
Award YearSlovakia Best Defenceman in Slovakia 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005 Best Player in Slovakia 2005NHL All-Rookie Team 2001 All-Star Game 2007 NHL second All-Star team 2011
References
External links
Višňovský profile at NHLPA