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Jaroslav Halák
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Jaroslav Halák (Slovak pronunciation: [ˈjarɔslaw ˈɦalaːk]; born 13 May 1985) is a Slovak former professional ice hockey goaltender. He was selected in the ninth round, 271st overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2003 NHL entry draft. Halák played for the Canadiens as well as the Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, and Washington Capitals.

Key Information

Playing career

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Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues

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Halák played for the American Hockey League's (AHL) Hamilton Bulldogs during the 2006–07 season before being called up to their National Hockey League (NHL) parent team, the Montreal Canadiens on 15 February 2007, after an injury to the Canadiens' starting goaltender, Cristobal Huet. At the time of his call-up, Halák had a 2.00 goals against average (GAA) with the Bulldogs, the lowest in the AHL. He played his first NHL game on 18 February 2007, stopping 31 shots in a 3–2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Halák earned his first career NHL shutout on 20 March 2007, making thirty saves to keep the Canadiens' rival Boston Bruins off the board with a 1–0 victory.

Halák was assigned to the Bulldogs for the majority of the 2007–08 season. However, after the Canadiens traded Huet on 26 February 2008, Halák took over full-time as the Canadiens back-up goaltender. He started his first playoff game on 30 April 2008 against the Philadelphia Flyers (a 4–2 loss) after sub-par performances from newly appointed starter Carey Price, who once again took over in the following game. He fulfilled back-up duties for the Canadiens into the following season. However, Halák's strong play coupled with inconsistent performances from Price led to an opportunity for Halák to step into a larger role. Ultimately, based on his strong play for the Canadiens and for Slovakia at the Vancouver Olympics, there was a strong internal push to designate Halák the team's starting goaltender. Halák went on to be named the Canadiens' Molson Cup Player of the Year for the season and was designated the starter heading into their first-round playoff match-up against the Presidents' Trophy-winning Washington Capitals. In the sixth game of the series, Halák stopped 53 shots to set a club record for a playoff game (in regulation-time),[1] leading the Canadiens to a 4–1 victory. Ultimately, the Canadiens overcame a 3–1 series deficit to win the series in seven games, marking one of the biggest upsets in NHL history.[2] The win was attributed largely to Halák's play as he turned aside 131 of Washington's 134 shots in games 5 through 7, frustrating the league's top scoring team from the regular season.[3] After defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games, the Canadiens fell to the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Final with a 4–1 series loss.[4]

Halák with the New York Islanders in 2014

At the conclusion of the season, both Halák and Price became restricted free agents and a great goaltending debate emerged in Montreal over who would remain with the team, playoff-hero Halák, or the younger Price. After weeks of media speculation the Canadiens chose Price and on 17 June, controversially traded Halák to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for two prospects, center Lars Eller and right-winger Ian Schultz.[5] On 6 July 2010, Halák signed a four-year $15 million contract with the Blues.[6] Prior to the 2010–11 season, Halák held an autograph-signing in Montreal as a farewell and goodwill gesture, to thank fans for their support as well as to raise funds for the Montreal Ste-Justine Children's Hospital. Though 500 fans were expected, more than 5000 fans attended the event held at the Fairview Pointe-Claire mall, testifying to his popularity with Canadiens' fans.[7]

Halák played his first game with the Blues on 9 October 2010, earning a 2–1 victory over the Flyers. Halák would earn his first shutout with the team on 23 October 2010 at home against the Penguins, stopping 31 shots in a 1–0 overtime victory.[8] Halák had a quick start, going 8–1–1 and would share the starting role with Brian Elliott for the remainder of the season. In the 2011–12 season, Halák and Elliott were awarded the William M. Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals (165 collectively) in the regular season.

Trades and New York Islanders

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Prior to the 2013–14 trade deadline, the Blues traded Halák, Chris Stewart, William Carrier, a first-round draft pick in 2015, and a conditional third-round draft pick in 2014 to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Ryan Miller and Steve Ott on 28 February 2014.[9] Halák did not appear in a game for the Sabres and was ultimately dealt along with a third round draft pick to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Michal Neuvirth and Rostislav Klesla at the trade deadline five days later.[10][11] Halák dressed for the Sabres as the backup goaltender in one game, making him the 10th player in Sabres history to dress for the team in a regular-season game but not play.[12]

As pending unrestricted free agent, Halák's rights were traded by the Capitals to the New York Islanders on 1 May 2014 for a fourth round pick in the 2014 draft.[13] On 22 May 2014, the Islanders signed him to a four-year contract worth $18 million.[14] On 4 December 2014, the Islanders defeated the Ottawa Senators, with Halák earning his 11th consecutive win and set a franchise record previously held by Billy Smith, who won 10 consecutive games.[15] On 15 January 2015, he was named to the 2015 NHL All Star Game as an injury replacement for Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, marking his first NHL All-Star appearance.[16] At the game, he played for the team captained by the Chicago Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews and stopped six of ten shots in the third period as he, Islanders' teammate John Tavares, and Team Toews won the game by a record setting score of 17–12.[17] On 19 February 2015, he tied the Islanders' franchise record for most wins in a season, with his 32nd win coming in a 5–2 win against the Predators.[18] Eight days later on 27 February, he set a new franchise record by recording his 33rd win of the season in a 2–1 win against the Calgary Flames.[19]

In March 2016, Halák suffered lower-body injury and missed the rest of the season, with Thomas Greiss filling in during the injury.[20] During the 2016–17 season, on 30 December 2016, Halák was placed on waivers.[21][22] The next day, he was assigned to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League (AHL).[23]

Boston Bruins

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After completing his four-year contract with the Islanders, Halák left as a free agent to sign a two-year, $5.5 million contract with the Boston Bruins on 1 July 2018.[24] Halák had his first start as a Bruin on 4 October 2018 in a 4–0 shutout win against the Buffalo Sabres. Halák made his return to Long Island on March 19 and got a tribute video played for him along with a standing ovation from the fans in attendance. He ended the season with 22 wins and 5 shutouts in 40 total games.

On 1 May 2020, the Bruins signed Halák to a one-year, $2.25 million contract extension.[25]

During the shortened 2019–20 season, Halák won his second Jennings Trophy, winning it alongside Tuukka Rask. Halák had 18 wins and three shutouts in 31 total games.[26]

On 15 August 2020, Halák was named starter by the Bruins for the rest of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs after Rask left the team for personal reasons before the third game of the first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes.[27]

Vancouver Canucks

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Following his third season with the Bruins, Halák left as a free agent and was signed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks on 28 July 2021.[28]

New York Rangers

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On 13 July 2022, Halák signed as a free agent to a one-year, $1.55 million contract with the New York Rangers.[29] Halák recorded his first win as a Ranger on 30 November, against the Ottawa Senators, making 34 saves in a 3–1 victory.[30] He finished the season with a 10–9–5 record in 25 games with a goals against average of 2.72 and a save percentage of .903.

Inactivity and retirement

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On 6 November 2023, Halák was signed to a professional tryout (PTO) contract by the Carolina Hurricanes.[31] He was released by the team on 20 November.[32]

After being unable to sign an NHL contract, Halák signed a one-year contract with his original club, Slovan Bratislava of the Slovak Extraliga, on 15 February 2024.[33] However, he did not play any games with the team.

On 18 July 2025, after not playing a competitive game in over two years, Halák officially announced his retirement from hockey.[34]

International play

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Halák in 2010 with the Slovakia men's national ice hockey team
Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Slovakia
World U18 Championships
Silver medal – second place 2003 Russia

Halák has represented Slovakia internationally on multiple occasions. He first played for his country at the IIHF World U20 Championship, starting every game for the team in both the 2004 and 2005 tournaments, where the team finished sixth and seventh, respectively. Halák's first senior international experience came in 2007 as he played in the 2007 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships, starting 2 games and earning a 1–1 record. The Slovaks finished in sixth place.[35] Halák again represented Slovakia at the 2009 tournament, where the team finished 10th overall.[36]

In February 2010, Halák was named the starting goaltender for the Slovak national team in the 2010 Winter Olympics, along with future Bruins defensive teammate Zdeno Chára. He stopped 36 of 37 shots in a preliminary round victory against a strong Russian team, and went on to start every game for the Slovaks. Halák and his teammates finished fourth overall in the tournament after losing against Finland in the bronze medal match.[37] This was the best finish ever for Slovakia at the Olympics, one spot better than their fifth-place finish during the 2006 Olympics. Halák played in two of Slovakia's four games during the 2014 Olympics, losing both games as the team would go on to finish 11th.[38]

At the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, Halák led the underdog Team Europe to a 2-1-0 record in the group stage, good for 2nd place in Group A. He then backstopped the team to the final, where they lost in the best of three to Team Canada, 3-1 and 2–1, respectively.

Personal life

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Halák is married to his wife Petra, the couple have a daughter Inna and son Nathan. Both of his children have followed in his footsteps and are goaltenders.[39]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T/OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2001–02 Slovan Bratislava U20 22 — — — 1257 41 0 1.96 — 6 6 0 353 7 2 1.19 —
2002–03 Slovan Bratislava U20 20 13 3 3 1200 41 1 2.02 — — — — — — — — —
2003–04 Slovan Bratislava U20 29 — — — 1694 51 5 1.81 — — — — — — — — —
2003–04 Slovan Bratislava Slovak 12 — — — 651 18 0 1.66 .942 1 — — 45 6 0 8.00 .903
2003–04 Dukla Senica Slovak.1 21 — — — 1240 54 1 2.61 — — — — — — — — —
2004–05 Lewiston Maineiacs QMJHL 47 24 17 4 2697 125 4 2.78 .913 8 4 4 460 27 0 3.52 .908
2005–06 Long Beach Ice Dogs ECHL 20 11 4 2 1026 35 2 2.05 .932 4 2 2 252 13 0 3.09 .910
2005–06 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 13 7 6 0 786 30 3 2.29 .927 — — — — — — — —
2006–07 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 28 16 11 0 1618 54 6 2.00 .932 — — — — — — — —
2006–07 Montreal Canadiens NHL 16 10 6 0 912 44 2 2.89 .906 — — — — — — — —
2007–08 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 8 3 2 2 454 22 0 2.91 .901 — — — — — — — —
2007–08 Montreal Canadiens NHL 6 2 1 1 284 10 1 2.11 .934 2 0 1 77 3 0 2.34 .889
2008–09 Montreal Canadiens NHL 34 18 14 1 1931 92 1 2.86 .915 1 0 0 20 0 0 0.00 1.000
2009–10 Montreal Canadiens NHL 45 26 13 5 2630 105 5 2.40 .924 18 9 9 1013 43 0 2.55 .923
2010–11 St. Louis Blues NHL 57 27 21 7 3294 136 7 2.48 .910 — — — — — — — —
2011–12 St. Louis Blues NHL 46 26 12 7 2747 90 6 1.97 .926 2 1 1 104 3 0 1.73 .935
2012–13 Lausitzer Füchse 2.GBun 1 1 0 0 65 1 0 0.92 .950 — — — — — — — —
2012–13 St. Louis Blues NHL 16 6 5 1 813 29 3 2.14 .899 — — — — — — — —
2013–14 St. Louis Blues NHL 40 24 9 4 2238 83 4 2.23 .917 — — — — — — — —
2013–14 Washington Capitals NHL 12 5 4 3 701 27 1 2.31 .930 — — — — — — — —
2014–15 New York Islanders NHL 59 38 17 4 3550 144 6 2.43 .914 7 3 4 418 16 0 2.30 .926
2015–16 New York Islanders NHL 36 18 13 4 2091 80 3 2.30 .919 — — — — — — — —
2016–17 New York Islanders NHL 28 12 9 5 1606 75 2 2.80 .915 — — — — — — — —
2016–17 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 27 17 7 4 1536 55 2 2.15 .925 — — — — — — — —
2017–18 New York Islanders NHL 54 20 26 6 3025 161 1 3.19 .908 — — — — — — — —
2018–19 Boston Bruins NHL 40 22 11 4 2309 90 5 2.34 .922 — — — — — — — —
2019–20 Boston Bruins NHL 31 18 6 6 1834 73 3 2.39 .919 9 4 5 544 25 0 2.76 .902
2020–21 Boston Bruins NHL 19 9 6 4 1091 46 2 2.53 .905 — — — — — — — —
2021–22 Vancouver Canucks NHL 17 4 7 2 797 39 0 2.94 .903 — — — — — — — —
2022–23 New York Rangers NHL 25 10 9 5 1454 66 1 2.72 .903 — — — — — — — —
NHL totals 581 295 189 69 33,303 1,390 53 2.50 .915 39 17 20 2,177 90 0 2.48 .919

International

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Year Team Event Result GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2002 Slovakia WJC18 8th 7 — — — 416 18 1 2.59 .887
2003 Slovakia WJC18 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 — — — 420 14 0 2.00 .932
2004 Slovakia WJC 6th 6 2 3 1 360 14 2 2.33 .930
2005 Slovakia WJC 7th 6 4 2 0 360 13 2 2.17 .916
2007 Slovakia WC 6th 2 1 1 0 119 5 1 2.52 .904
2009 Slovakia WC 10th 4 1 2 0 189 10 0 3.17 .872
2010 Slovakia OG 4th 7 3 3 0 423 17 1 2.41 .911
2011 Slovakia WC 10th 6 2 4 0 354 15 0 2.54 .909
2014 Slovakia OG 11th 2 0 2 0 93:30 8 0 5.13 .857
2016 Team Europe WCH 2nd 6 3 3 0 362 13 1 2.15 .941
Junior totals 26 — — — 1556 59 5 — —
Senior totals 27 10 15 0 1540 68 3 2.70 .907

Awards and achievements

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jaroslav Halák

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jaroslav Halák is a Slovak former who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), appearing in 581 games with a career record of 295–189–69, a 2.50 goals-against average, and a .915 save percentage. Drafted in the ninth round (271st overall) by the in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Halák became renowned for his standout performance during the 2009–10 playoffs, where he backstopped the Canadiens to upsets over the and , saving 131 of 134 shots in the final three games against Washington. He retired on 18 July 2025 at age 40, capping a career marked by two William M. Jennings Trophies (2011–12 with the and 2019–20 with the ) and an NHL selection in 2015. Halák began his professional career in before moving to , playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the Lewiston Maineiacs from 2003 to 2005, where he posted a 2.74 goals-against average and .917 save percentage over 104 games. He made his NHL debut with in 2007 after excelling in the with the , earning AHL All-Rookie Team honors in 2007. Over his NHL tenure, Halák suited up for seven teams— (2007–10), (2010–14), (2013–14), (2014–18), (2018–21), (2021–22), and (2022–23)—serving as a reliable starter and backup, including a franchise-record 11 consecutive wins with the Islanders in 2014–15. Internationally, Halák represented extensively, earning a at the 2003 where he was named the top goaltender and an . He competed in two IIHF World Junior Championships, three IIHF Championships, the 2010 and 2014 (finishing fourth in 2010), and helped Team Europe reach the final at the 2016 , securing another .

Early life and junior career

Upbringing in Slovakia

Jaroslav Halák was born on May 13, 1985, in , the capital of what was then the within . achieved independence from in 1993, when Halák was eight years old, marking a period of significant transition in the post-communist era. , long a prominent in the region due to its legacy from the unified Czechoslovak teams that medaled frequently in international competitions, became a symbol of national pride and unity for the newly independent . The 's popularity grew rapidly in the , fueled by the formation of a dedicated Slovak national team and the emigration of players to professional leagues abroad, which inspired young enthusiasts like Halák in urban centers such as . In this environment, where community rinks and local programs proliferated amid economic and social changes, Halák's early exposure to reflected the broader cultural enthusiasm for the game among Slovak youth. This foundational interest paved the way for his structured involvement in the sport during pre-teen years.

Junior hockey development

Halák began his youth hockey career in , playing for local club HK Ružinov 99 before joining the youth system, where he progressed through the under-18 and under-20 teams. In the 2001–02 season, at age 16, he appeared in 22 games for Slovan's U20 team in the Slovakia U20 league, posting a 1.96 goals-against average (GAA). His performance earned him a spot on the Slovak U18 national team for the 2002 , where he recorded a 2.59 GAA in seven games as finished fifth. Halák continued to develop in Slovan's youth ranks over the next two seasons, playing 20 games for the U20 team in 2002–03 (2.05 GAA) and 29 games in 2003–04 (1.81 GAA), while also representing at the 2003 , where he helped lead the team to a silver medal, was named the top and an after recording a 2.00 GAA in seven games, and the 2004 (2.33 GAA in six games). During the 2003–04 season, Halák made his professional debut in the with Slovan Bratislava's senior team at age 18, appearing in 12 regular-season games with a strong 1.66 GAA and .942 save percentage, including one . He also gained experience on loan with HC Dukla Senica in the Slovakia2 league, playing 21 games with a 2.61 GAA. These opportunities in Slovan's system honed his fundamental goaltending skills under European coaching influences, emphasizing positional play and technical proficiency typical of the region's development programs. Seeking greater exposure ahead of the NHL Draft, Halák moved to in to join the Lewiston MAINEiacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where he adapted to the faster-paced North American style. In his lone QMJHL season, he started 47 games, compiling a 24–17–4 record, a 2.78 GAA, a .913 save percentage, and four shutouts, helping Lewiston reach the . Halák also represented at the 2005 , posting a 2.17 GAA in six games as the team finished fourth. His QMJHL performance showcased his quick reflexes and composure, solidifying his reputation as a promising prospect.

NHL Entry Draft

Jaroslav Halák was selected by the with the 271st overall pick in the ninth and final round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to the draft, Halák drew attention from scouts for his athleticism, quick reflexes, and overall potential, particularly after standout performances at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship where he demonstrated dominance in . Despite these attributes, he was overlooked by most teams until the late rounds, partly due to his relatively unheralded status as a Slovak prospect and the depth of goaltending talent in that draft class. Scouts noted his ability to make himself appear larger in the crease through efficient positioning and rapid lateral movement, signaling long-term upside even as a late selection. Following his lone season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Lewiston Maineiacs, Halák signed a three-year entry-level with the Canadiens on , 2005, worth $1.475 million with an annual cap hit of $491,667. He was immediately assigned to the Canadiens' affiliate, the , to begin his professional career. Upon arriving in , Halák encountered initial challenges in adapting to the faster pace and physicality of the continent's hockey style, as well as the heightened competition in minor professional leagues compared to his European and junior experiences. His former junior coach, Guy Gagnon, later reflected that Halák "had to make an adjustment to North American hockey, but he did that," highlighting his resilience in overcoming these hurdles.

Professional career

Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues

Jaroslav Halák made his NHL debut with the Montreal Canadiens on February 18, 2007, against the Columbus Blue Jackets, stopping 31 of 32 shots in a 3-2 victory. This performance marked his first NHL win, as he went on to win his initial three starts before returning to the American Hockey League. Over the next three seasons, Halák established himself as a reliable backup to Carey Price, appearing in 76 regular-season games with a record of 23-33-13, a 2.66 goals-against average (GAA), and a .917 save percentage. Halák's tenure with Montreal peaked during the 2009-10 season, where he took over as the primary starter late in the year, posting a 26-13-5 record in 45 games with a 2.40 GAA and .924 save percentage. His performance propelled the Canadiens into the , where he backstopped the team to the Eastern Conference Finals. In 18 playoff games, Halák recorded a 9-9 mark, a 2.55 GAA, and a .923 save percentage, including a franchise-record 53 saves in Game 6 of the first round against the to force a decisive seventh game. The Canadiens upset the Presidents' Trophy-winning Capitals in seven games before defeating the in the second round, only to fall to the in five games in the conference finals. On June 17, 2010, the Canadiens traded Halák to the in exchange for prospect and forward Ian Schultz. Halák signed a four-year, $15 million contract with shortly after, positioning him as part of a strong goaltending tandem with . In his first season with the Blues (2010-11), he posted a 27-21-7 record in 57 games, with a 2.48 GAA and .910 save percentage, helping the team reach the Western Conference Semifinals. The 2011-12 season highlighted Halák's impact in , as he and Elliott shared the for leading the NHL in fewest goals allowed (165 total), with Halák contributing a 26-12-7 record in 46 games, a 1.97 GAA, and .926 save percentage. The finished second in the Western Conference but were eliminated in the second round by the . During the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, Halák appeared in 16 games with a 6-5-1 record, 2.14 GAA, and .899 save percentage, tying a franchise record with his 14th career for the team in a 6-0 win over . In 2013-14, he solidified his role with a 24-9-4 record in 40 games, 2.23 GAA, and .917 save percentage before being traded midseason. Across 159 regular-season games with the from 2010 to 2014, Halák compiled an 83-47-19 record, 2.23 GAA, and .916 save percentage.

Washington Capitals and New York Islanders

On March 5, 2014, the acquired Jaroslav Halák from the in exchange for Michal Neuvirth and a conditional third-round pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. In limited action during the 2013–14 season, Halák appeared in 12 games for , compiling a 5–4–3 record with a 2.31 goals-against average (GAA) and .930 save percentage. His time with the Capitals was brief, as the team traded his negotiating rights to the on May 1, 2014, for New York's fourth-round pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Halák signed a four-year, $18 million contract with the Islanders on May 22, 2014, positioning him as the team's primary starting goaltender. In the 2014–15 season, his debut year with New York, Halák set franchise records with 38 wins in 59 games, alongside a 2.43 GAA and .914 save percentage, while achieving an 11-game winning streak from November 5 to December 4. These efforts helped the Islanders secure a playoff spot for the first time since 2007, though they fell to the Capitals in seven games in the first round, where Halák posted a 2.72 GAA in six appearances. The following season, 2015–16, Halák transitioned into more of a shared role within a goaltending with , starting 36 games and recording an 18–13–4 mark with a 2.30 GAA and .919 save percentage. The Islanders again reached the but lost in the first round to the in six games; Halák missed the postseason due to a sustained late in the regular season. In 2016–17, he posted a 12–9–5 record in 28 games with a 2.80 GAA and .915 save percentage. In 2017–18, Halák recorded a 20–26–6 mark in 54 games, 3.19 GAA, and .908 save percentage. Over his Islanders tenure from 2014 to 2018, Halák appeared in 177 games, achieving an 88–65–19 record with a 2.70 GAA and .913 save percentage. Halák and Greiss formed an effective tandem, splitting starts evenly in later years and providing stability during New York's push for consistent playoff contention, with Greiss often handling the bulk of postseason duties when Halák was sidelined. Following the expiration of his contract after the 2017–18 season, Halák entered unrestricted free agency and signed a two-year deal with the on , 2018.

Boston Bruins

On July 1, 2018, Jaroslav Halák signed a two-year contract with the worth $5.5 million, with an average annual value of $2.75 million, to serve as the backup to . In his first season with the team during 2018–19, Halák appeared in 40 games, posting a 22–11–4 record with a 2.34 goals-against average (GAA) and .922 save percentage, contributing to Boston's strong defensive performance. Halák continued in the backup role during the COVID-19-shortened 2019–20 season, playing 31 games with an 18–6–6 record, 2.39 GAA, and .919 save percentage. He and Rask shared the , awarded to the goaltenders on the team allowing the fewest goals per game in the regular season (Boston conceded 2.07 goals per game). This marked Halák's second Jennings win, following his shared honor with in during 2011–12. On May 1, 2020, Halák agreed to a one-year extension with worth $2.25 million, including performance bonuses up to $1.25 million. In the , held in a bubble environment due to the , Halák assumed starting duties after Rask opted out following the first round. He went 2–1 with a 1.67 GAA across three games in the second round against the , helping Boston advance before the team was eliminated in the Eastern Conference Final. Overall in the playoffs, Halák recorded a 4–5 mark in nine appearances with a 2.76 GAA and .902 save percentage. The 2020–21 season was also impacted by protocols, limiting Halák to 19 games where he achieved a 9–6–4 record, 2.53 GAA, and .905 save percentage. Following the season, Halák became an unrestricted on July 28, 2021, and parted ways with the Bruins after three seasons. Over his tenure in , Halák compiled a 49–23–14 record in 90 regular-season games with a 2.40 GAA and .918 save percentage.

Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers

On July 28, 2021, Jaroslav Halák signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the as a , taking on the role of backup to . In the 2021–22 season, Halák appeared in 17 games for , posting a record of 4–7–2 with a 2.94 goals-against (GAA) and .903 save percentage, providing steady relief support amid a challenging campaign for the team. His performances helped stabilize the goaltending tandem during stretches of injury and inconsistency, though the Canucks finished outside the . Following the expiration of his Vancouver contract, Halák entered free agency and signed a one-year deal with the on July 13, 2022, valued at $1.5 million, to serve as the backup to Vezina Trophy winner . During the 2022–23 season, Halák started 24 of his 25 appearances, recording a 10–9–5 mark with a 2.72 GAA and .903 save percentage, contributing to the Rangers' strong regular-season finish that included a second-round playoff appearance. Although Shesterkin handled the bulk of the workload, Halák's experience proved valuable in maintaining depth, particularly during a demanding schedule. Across his tenures with Vancouver and New York, Halák compiled a combined record of 14–16–7 in 42 games, with a 2.82 GAA and .903 save percentage, underscoring his reliability as a veteran presence in the twilight of his career. In reflecting on his backup roles, Halák emphasized the importance of mentoring younger goaltenders like Demko and Shesterkin, sharing insights on mental preparation and consistency drawn from his own extensive NHL experience.

Inactivity and retirement

Following his final NHL appearance on April 13, 2023, where he made 18 saves in a 3-2 loss to the as a member of the , Jaroslav Halák entered free agency without securing a for the 2023–24 season. Despite interest from several teams, including a professional tryout with the in November 2023, signed on November 6 and released on November 20, Halák remained unsigned in the NHL, marking the beginning of an extended period of inactivity. This hiatus followed a career plagued by occasional injuries, though specific health setbacks during this time were not publicly detailed beyond general recovery needs. In an effort to return to competitive play closer to home, Halák signed a one-year with his original club, of the , on February 15, 2024. However, he did not appear in any games for the team, as ongoing recovery from prior prevented him from suiting up, leading to the 's quiet expiration without on-ice contribution. This brief stint underscored the challenges of resuming professional hockey at age 39 after more than a year away from regular action. On July 18, 2025, Halák officially announced his retirement from professional hockey at the age of 40, concluding a 17-season NHL career that spanned teams including the , , , , , , and . In a statement to Slovak media, he cited the importance of family as a key factor, expressing gratitude to his wife for her support throughout his career and emphasizing a desire to prioritize personal life after years of professional demands. Halák finished with a career record of 295-189-69, alongside a 2.50 goals-against and .915 save percentage over 581 regular-season games. In reflecting on his legacy post-retirement, Halák described the decision as definitive, stating he would "never wear the pads again" and viewing any potential return as pointless given his physical condition and life stage. While he has not publicly outlined immediate plans such as coaching or other hockey-related roles, his announcement highlighted a sense of closure after a journey that began in and achieved prominence in North American professional leagues.

International career

Youth and junior international career

Halák represented at the youth and junior levels, earning a silver medal at the 2003 in and , . He appeared in seven games, posting a 1.94 goals-against average (GAA) and .932 save percentage, and was named the tournament's top and an All-Star as lost 3-1 to in the gold medal game. He also competed in two IIHF World U20 Championships. At the 2004 tournament in Helsinki and Hämeenlinna, Finland, Halák started all six games for the sixth-place Slovaks, recording a 2-3-1 record, 2.33 GAA, and .928 save percentage with two shutouts. In 2005, in Grand Forks and Thief River Falls, United States, he again started all six games as Slovakia finished seventh, compiling a 4-0-4 record, 2.09 GAA, and .922 save percentage. Across the two tournaments, Halák played 12 games with a combined 6-1-5 record, 2.21 GAA, and .925 save percentage.

Olympic Games

Jaroslav Halák represented Slovakia at two Winter Olympics, serving as the primary goaltender in 2010 and in a starting role for two games in 2014. His Olympic appearances highlighted Slovakia's ambitions to compete among hockey's elite nations, though the team has yet to secure a medal in the men's tournament. Halák's efforts contributed to Slovakia's best-ever Olympic finish of fourth place in 2010, amid high expectations for the small nation to leverage its skilled roster for an upset run. At the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Halák debuted as Slovakia's starting , appearing in seven games with a 3-3-0 record, 2.41 goals-against average (GAA), and .911 save percentage, including one . He was instrumental in the preliminary round, stopping 36 of 37 shots in a 2-1 victory over on February 19, which propelled into the knockout stage. Halák also made 26 saves on 29 shots during a 4-3 quarterfinal win against on February 22, advancing to the semifinals. The team fell 3-2 to in the semifinals and 3-0 to in the game, finishing fourth overall. In the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Halák shared duties but started the first two games as aimed to build on its previous success. He posted an 0-2-0 record, 5.13 GAA, and .857 save percentage across 93 minutes. On , Halák started against the , allowing five goals on 25 shots before being pulled after 33 minutes in a 7-1 loss. He then started the February 15 matchup versus , stopping 28 of 31 shots in a 3-1 defeat that eliminated from medal contention, with the team finishing 11th. Halák did not participate in the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, as NHL players, including those from , boycotted the event due to disputes between the NHL, NHLPA, and IIHF over scheduling and insurance costs. For the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where NHL players returned, Halák was not selected for the Slovak roster amid team choices favoring younger or in-form goaltenders. Over his Olympic career, Halák appeared in nine games with a 3-5-0 record, 2.91 GAA, and .898 save percentage, underscoring Slovakia's persistent push for international hardware despite limited depth compared to powerhouse nations.

IIHF World Championships

Halák made his senior international debut for at the 2007 IIHF World Championship in , , where he appeared in two games as a backup , recording a 1–1–0 mark with a 2.52 goals-against average (GAA), .903 save percentage, and one shutout in a 3–0 victory over . His limited action came during the tournament's placement round, helping secure a sixth-place finish overall. He returned to the IIHF World Championship in 2009, held in Bern and Kloten, Switzerland, playing four games with a 1–2–0 record, 3.17 GAA, and .872 save percentage, as Slovakia finished tenth in the competition. Halák's performances provided stability in net during a tournament marked by competitive matches against top teams, including a 3–7 loss to Canada where he faced 41 shots. Halák's most extensive involvement came at the , co-hosted by his home country in and , , where he started six games and posted a 2–4–0 record, 2.54 GAA, and .909 save percentage. Despite the team's 11th-place finish, his steady play, including strong outings against powerhouses like and , highlighted his reliability amid Slovakia's roster challenges and the pressure of hosting. Across his three World Championship appearances from 2007 to 2011, Halák appeared in 12 games, compiling a 4–7–0 record, 2.72 GAA, .898 save percentage, and one while logging 662 minutes. His contributions underscored Slovakia's reliance on experienced goaltending to compete against stronger nations, even without achieving medals during his tenure.

World Cup of Hockey

Halák represented Team Europe at the in , serving as the primary . He appeared in all six games, posting a 3–3–0 record, 2.15 GAA, .941 save percentage, and one . Halák's strong performances helped the underdog team advance to the final, where they lost 3–2 in overtime to , securing a . Notable efforts included 44 saves in a 3–0 preliminary win over Team North America and 29 saves in the semifinal victory against .

Career statistics

NHL regular season and playoffs

Jaroslav Halák appeared in 581 regular season games over 17 NHL seasons, posting a 295–189–69 record with a 2.50 (GAA), .915 save percentage (SV%), and 53 shutouts. His regular season performance varied by team and period, with early success establishing him as a reliable starter. With the from 2006 to 2010, Halák played 101 games, recording 56 wins, a 2.64 GAA, .919 SV%, and 9 shutouts, highlighted by his 2009–10 season of 26–13–5, 2.40 GAA, .924 SV%, and 5 shutouts. Traded to the in 2010, he excelled over four seasons, appearing in 159 games with 83 wins, 2.23 GAA, .916 SV%, and 20 shutouts; his peak came in 2011–12, when he went 26–13–2 with a 1.97 GAA, .926 SV%, and 6 shutouts, sharing the with . A brief stint with the in 2018–19 saw him in 26 games with 13 wins, 2.43 GAA, .917 SV%, and 4 shutouts. Halák then anchored the from 2014 to 2018, playing 177 games with 88 wins, 2.62 GAA, .914 SV%, and 12 , including a strong 2014–15 campaign of 38–17–4, 2.43 GAA, .914 SV%, and 6 . With the from 2018 to 2021, he logged 90 games, achieving 49 wins, 2.41 GAA, .919 SV%, and 10 , notably sharing the Jennings Trophy in 2019–20 with an 18–6–6 record, 2.39 GAA, .919 SV%, and 3 . Later seasons showed decline: 17 games with the in 2021–22 (4–7–2, 2.94 GAA, .903 SV%, 0 ) and 25 games with the in 2022–23 (10–9–5, 2.72 GAA, .903 SV%, 1 ).
TeamYearsGPRecordGAASV%SO
2006–1010156–34–72.64.9199
2010–1415983–47–192.23.91620
2018–192613–6–32.43.9174
2014–1817788–65–192.62.91412
2018–219049–23–142.41.91910
2021–22174–7–22.94.9030
2022–232510–9–52.72.9031
In the playoffs, Halák played 50 games with a 25–25 record, 2.51 GAA, and .910 SV%, demonstrating resilience in high-stakes situations despite no shutouts. His most memorable postseason was the 2010 run with , where he went 4–7 with a 2.48 GAA over 11 games, leading the eighth-seeded Canadiens to upset the top-seeded in seven games before falling to , making 53 saves in of the first round—a playoff record. Other notable appearances include seven games with the Islanders in 2015 (3–4, 2.30 GAA, .926 SV%) and 11 games in 2016 (6–5, 2.29 GAA, .925 SV%, 1 ), as well as nine games with in 2020 (4–5, 2.76 GAA, .902 SV%). Over his 17 seasons, Halák's performance trended toward consistency in the , with save percentages above .920 in his first six years (–12), averaging 2.35 GAA during that span amid strong team defenses, before stabilizing around .910–.915 and 2.50–2.70 GAA in later years as he transitioned to backup roles. His goals-against average reflected defensive variability across teams, lowest with (2.23) due to elite puck possession, and highest with (2.94) amid roster instability. In terms of —a metric measuring goalie contributions to team wins—Halák accumulated over 100 career total, peaking at 8.5 in 2011–12 (leading the league) and contributing 4–6 per season in starter roles with , , and the Islanders, underscoring his impact on team success despite fewer starts later.

International competitions

Jaroslav Halák represented in several major international tournaments throughout his career, showcasing strong goaltending performances that often exceeded his NHL benchmarks. His international appearances spanned junior and senior levels, including the World Junior Championships, , IIHF World Championships, and the . These competitions highlighted his ability to perform under high-pressure conditions against top global talent. In the IIHF World Championships, Halák accumulated 25 (), posting a record of 12 wins, 9 losses, and 2 ties, with a 1.98 (GAA), .930 save percentage (SV%), and 3 shutouts across multiple tournaments from 2006 to 2011. This save percentage notably surpassed his career NHL mark of .915, demonstrating superior efficiency in international play where he faced diverse offensive styles from European and North American teams. At the in 2010 and 2014, Halák appeared in 5 GP, recording 2 wins and 2 losses, a 2.47 GAA, and .898 SV%. Despite Slovakia's fourth-place finish in 2010, where he started key matches, his Olympic outings provided valuable experience in the tournament's short, intense format. Halák's early international exposure came at the World Junior Championships from 2003 to 2005, where he played 7 GP with a 3.50 GAA. These appearances helped develop his skills against age-group peers, contributing to Slovakia's competitive efforts in the under-20 event. Additionally, in the , he made a single relief appearance for Team Europe, underscoring his versatility in limited roles during high-stakes all-star formats.

Awards and achievements

References

  1. https://www.nhl.com/news/jaroslav-halak-retires-after-17-nhl-seasons
  2. https://www.nhl.com/player/jaroslav-halak-8470860
  3. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/h/halakja01.html
  4. https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2020/wm/news/18937/all-time-slovakia-team
  5. https://easternconferences.wordpress.com/2011/07/24/czech-and-slovak-hockey-on-the-decline/
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  13. https://puckpedia.com/player/jaroslav-halak
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  19. https://www.sbnation.com/2010/6/17/1523249/jaroslav-halak-trade-st-louis-blues
  20. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/halak-elliott-take-home-jennings-trophy
  21. https://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/jennings.html
  22. https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/10557435/jaroslav-halak-traded-washington-capitals-buffalo-sabres
  23. https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/capitals-trade-jaroslav-halak-to-islanders-for-2014-fourth-round-draft-pick/1984255/
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  28. https://records.nhl.com/awards/trophies/william-m-jennings-trophy
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  30. https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/player/_/id/1836/jaroslav-halak
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  32. https://www.markerzone.com/news/index.php?no=265184
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  34. https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/jaroslav-halak-officially-retires-i-ll-never-wear-the-pads-again
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  36. https://www.si.com/nhl/veteran-goalie-jaroslav-halak-announces-retirement-hockey
  37. https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2003/wm18/past-statistics/2003/
  38. https://www.iihf.com/en/news/69292/halak_hangs_up_the_pads_at_40
  39. https://sports.yahoo.com/canadiens-jaroslav-halak-2010-olympic-213500092.html
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  41. https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/team-canada/men/world-championship/2009/apr-28-can-svk
  42. http://www.hockeynut.com/0809/worlds2009/index.html
  43. https://www.quanthockey.com/whc/en/teams/team-slovakia-goalies-2011-whc-stats.html
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  45. https://www.quanthockey.com/world-cup/en/teams/team-europe-goalies-2016-world-cup-stats.html
  46. https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/jaroslav-halak
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