Topic: Marian Gaborik

Marián Gáborík (born February 14, 1982) is a Slovak professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He began his career in the Slovak Extraliga with HC Dukla Trenčín for two seasons before being drafted third overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild. Spending eight seasons in Minnesota before signing with the Rangers in 2009, Gáborík is the Wild's all-time leading scorer in goals, assists and points. Internationally, Gáborík is a two-time Olympian with Slovakia and has won a bronze medal at the 1999 World Junior Championships.

Gáborík played with HC Dukla Trencin's junior team and scored 59 points over 36 games in 1997–98. That same season, he appeared in one Slovak Extraliga game with Dukla Trencin's men's team, scoring a goal in his professional debut. The following season in 1998–99, he joined Dukla Trencin in the Slovak Extraliga full-time and 20 points over 33 games as a rookie. Gáborík then improved to 46 points in 50 games the following season in his draft year.

Gáborík was drafted by the Minnesota Wild with the third overall pick in the first round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft after Rick DiPietro and Dany Heatley. Gaborik immediately showed promise during his rookie season with the Wild, collecting 18 goals and 36 points for the expansion Wild. Gáborík elevated his game the following season, in 2001–02, notching his first 30-goal season and nearly doubling his rookie output to 67 points. He also recorded his first NHL hat-trick near the beginning of the season on November 13, 2001. In 2002–03, Gáborík was named to his first NHL All-Star Game and won the fastest skater competition, lapping the rink in 13.713 seconds. He notched 30 goals for the second consecutive season, but more importantly helped lead the Wild to their first ever playoff appearance. He capped off his third NHL season with 17 points in 18 games as part of a run to the Western Conference Finals.