Michael Kostka
Michael Christopher Kostka (born November 28, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played a parts of five seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, and Ottawa Senators. He also played for Skellefteå AIK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
| Michael Kostka | |
|---|---|
 Kostka as a Ranger in October 2014 | |
| Born | 28 November 1985
(aged 40) |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb) |
| Position | Defence |
| Shot | Right |
| Played for | Toronto Maple Leafs Chicago Blackhawks Tampa Bay Lightning New York Rangers Ottawa Senators Skellefteå AIK |
| NHL Draft | Undrafted |
| Playing career | 2008–2018 |
Career
He started his hockey career with the Ajax-Pickering Raiders of the Eastern AAA Hockey League. He played 2 seasons with them and then moved on to play in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League for the Ajax Axemen for 2 seasons and the Aurora Tigers for 1 season. He went on to play in college for the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he played 4 years for the Minutemen.
He went undrafted but was signed to a professional contract by the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League on March 25, 2008. He spent 1 season with the Sabres' AHL, the Rochester Americans and then two seasons with the new affiliate, the Portland Pirates. He returned to the Rochester Americans for the 2010–11 AHL season. He then signed a contract with Rochester's then-affiliate, Florida Panthers.[1] The Panthers traded Kostka along with Evan Oberg, to the Tampa Bay Lightning for James Wright and Mike Vernace.[2] He played for the Norfolk Admirals and helped them win the Calder Cup during the 2011–12 AHL playoffs. He was then signed as a free agent by the Toronto Maple Leafs to a one-year contract.[3] He got his first NHL point during his debut NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens on January 19, 2013.[4]
On July 19, 2013, He signed as a free agent with the defending champions, the Chicago Blackhawks to a one-year, two way contract.[5]
On February 23, 2014, Kostka was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Lightning.[6]
On June 28, 2014, Kostka was signed as a free agent by the New York Rangers to a one-year contract.[7]
On July 1, 2015, Kostka signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Ottawa Senators.[8]
On g, the Senators traded Kostka along with Curtis Lazar to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Jyrki Jokipakka and a second-round pick.[9] He did not play for them though.
On September 1, 2017, Kostka left the NHL to play oversees. He would sign a contract to play for Skellefteå AIK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).[10]
Michael Kostka Media
Mike Kostka (28) waits during a faceoff
Michael Kostka 1 2014-03-22
References
- ↑ Panthers Sign Foster, Kostka To American Hockey League DealsFlorida Panthers. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
- ↑ Lightning Trade Wright, Vernace to Panthers for Kostka, ObergThe Sports Network. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
- ↑ Leafs Sign McClement & KostkaToronto Maple Leafs. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
- ↑ Leafs Edge Canadiens in Season OpenerThe Canadian Press. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
- ↑ Blackhawks agree with LeBlanc, Peckham, KostkaNHL.com. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
- ↑ Lightning Claim Defenseman Mike Kostka Off WaiversTampa Bay Lightning. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
- ↑ Dan Boyle highlights hectic day of Rangers signingsNHL. Retrieved 2014-07-03.
- ↑ Wisniewski surgery setOttawa Senators. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ↑ Flames acquire Lazar, Kostka in deal with SenatorsSportsnet. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ↑ Defenseman Kostka comes to SAIK on try-outSkellefteå AIK (in Swedish). Retrieved September 12, 2024.
Other websites
- Michael Kostka's NHL player profile
- Michael Kostka's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
- Michael Kostka on Twitter
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