Vitek Vanecek

Profile

Vitek Vanecek

Czech hockey goaltender who will play in the most prestigious hockey league in the world from 2019/2020. He entered the NHL with the Washington Capitals, then defended the goal of the New Jersey Devils, whom he helped to the playoffs after 4 years. He spent part of the 2024/2025 season with the San Jose Sharks and now guards the goal of the reigning, two-time champion Florida Panthers. A fresh Stanley Cup champion.
Vitek is now moving on to a new team, the Utah Mammoth.

Utah Mammoth

National Hockey League (NHL)
Central Division, Western Conference

Bio

Born: Havlickuv Brod, 1996
Languages: Czech, English
Status: Married (wife Kristýna)
Jersey number: 41
Nickname: Vaňous

Sport

He enjoys sports in his free time as well. Apart from hockey, golf and tennis are his favourite sports. He likes to relax at the PlayStation from time to time.

Hobbies

He likes to spend time with his family. He enjoys everything about cars. During the season, he sticks to a healthy diet, but sometimes he cheats with fried cheese or quality steak. In the evenings he loves to have good chocolate :-).

Personality

A purposeful, cheerful, and energetic hard worker who likes to make fun of himself. An unmistakable smile and a happy face at every step.

Life values

The most important thing in life is family, and above all, health. Nothing in life is free. If you meet your dreams, success will come.

Agent/Sponzor

Sport agent: Jiří Hamal (GMG),
Gerry Johannson
Marketing service: Tomáš Pochop (BPR)
Current sponsor: Bauer

How it started

How it all started

An ordinary boy from Havlíčkův Brod, who was attracted by the hockey goal. He has played in the national team since he was 16 years old.

First time
on ice

His parents brought him to hockey and he first got on the ice between the ages of 4 and 5, when he started skating in his native town Havlíčkův Brod.

Center or goalkeeper

He started in HC Rebel Havlíčkův Brod and played in the offense. One time the team's goalkeeper did not come so the coaches contacted Vítek's parents. After a short persuasion, he managed to soften his parents and the team could boast a new goalkeeper.

Waiting for
a chance

The first year in America, Vítek played in ECHL. He needed to learn English and fit into overseas hockey. This was followed by an engagement on a farm in the AHL. There were also difficult moments and thoughts of escaping from the US. Vítek waited and after 5 long years he got his first chance in the NHL.

Hard work, diligence and enthusiasm

He worked hard every day to get into the top hockey league in the world. Behind his success and fulfillment of the dream was a great enthusiasm, diligence, endless hard work and above all the support of his parents and coaches.

Sport career

The nomination to the junior national team and the subsequent engagement in the NEON junior extraliga for Liberec were the first chapters of a successful story.

Games played: 92

2009 – 2013

HC Rebel Havlíčkův Brod (CZ)

At the age of 16, he took his team to qualify for the highest youth competition in the country. Based on his performance, he made it to the Czech national U17 team and was later selected by Extraliga team Liberec.

Games played: 52

2013 – 2015

Bílí Tygři Liberec (CZ)

In Liberec, he played for the junior team. He participated in the U18 World Junior Championships, where his team won silver medals. In his second year, he was loaned to HC Benátky nad Jizerou in the 1st league, where he got his first taste of senior hockey. In the same season, he made 6 Extraliga starts for Liberec and participated in the U20 World Junior Championships.

Games played: 45

2015 – 2016

South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL)

Washington Capitals chose Vítek in the second round of the draft (39th overall). 2015 was his first year in the USA and brought early success – he was named ECHL Rookie Goalie of the Month, Goalie of the Week (twice), Goalie of the Month, and was selected to the All-Rookie Team. He also played in the U20 World Junior Championships for the Czech Republic that year.

Games played: 150

2015 – 2020

Hershey Bears (AHL)

Transfer to the Washington Capitals’ AHL affiliate. Vítek thrived – his strong performances led to recognition such as an AHL All-Star Game selection, where he was named MVP, and multiple Player of the Week honors. He continued fighting for his NHL debut, competing alongside Braden Holtby, Pheonix Copley and Ilya Samsonov.

Games played: 82

2020 – 2022

Washington Capitals (NHL)

Vítek made his NHL debut. Despite the shortened season, he was named NHL Rookie of the Month. He eventually recorded five career shutouts, including three in that same season.

Games played: 39

2022 – 2024

New Jersey Devils (NHL)

Vítek handled his debut in New Jersey excellently. In preseason, he faced 58 shots in 160 minutes and allowed only three goals. He maintained his strong form through the season and helped the Devils reach the playoffs for the first time in four years.

Games played: 18

2024

San Jose Sharks (NHL)

For the new season, Vítek moved to the West Coast. He backed up #1 overall draft pick Macklin Celebrini on a young Sharks team undergoing a rebuild.

Games played: 26

2024 – now

Florida Panthers (NHL)

In his debut for Florida, he kept a clean sheet and was named Player of the Game. He and his team made it to the finals, where Florida defended the title and Vítek became the 31st Czech Stanley Cup winner.

Achievements and statistics

He reached the finals of the 2014 World Cup with a junior national team. And then it came. Draft to the Washington Capitals team, he was ranked as one of the best goalkeepers in the world in his year-class. In 2025, he lived to see the Florida Panthers hoist the Stanley Cup for the NHL champions.

World Championships U18: Silver medal

Season: 2013/2014
The biggest success of this category in the history of the Czech Republic

World Championships U18: TOP 3 players

Season: 2013/2014

World Championships U20: Goalkeeper number one

Season: 2015/2016
Season: 2016/2017

ECHL: Rookie and Goalie of the month, All Rookie team

Season: 2015/2016

AHL: All-Star Game nomination

Season: 2018/2019

All-Star Game MVP

Season: 2019/2020

NHL: Rookie of the Month

Season: 2020/2021, January 21

Stanley Cup winner

Season: 2024/25, Panthers

Statistics

Czech hockey team

Played games: 40
Ice time: 2 127 min.
Number of saves: 889
Average goals received: 2,87
Success: 89,80 %

Czech Ice Hockey Extraliga, 1st Czech Hockey League

Played games: 31
Ice time: 1 819 min.
Number of saves: 801
Average goals received: 2,51
Success: 90,82 %

AHL, ECHL

Played games: 185
Ice time: 10 501 min.
Number of saves: 4 332
Average goals received: 2,28
Success: 92,08 %

NHL

Played games: 198
Ice time: 10 976 min.
Number of saves: 4 718
Average goals received: 2,87
Success: 89,99 %

Personal marketing

Vítek was given the opportunity to fight for his dream in the NHL. In 2021, it was reflected in its visibility. He had around 90 appearances in the media space in the Czech Republic and 65 abroad.