46 – David Krejci – Nothing makes a play like a good fore-czech
David Krejci was the Boston Bruins selection in the second round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft . He was sixty third overall. At the time of his selection, he was playing in the Czech leagues, and was playing for HC Kladno. Krejci came across the Atlantic to play major junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for the Gatineau Olympiques for two seasons.
Krejci signed to the Bruins organization and went to the AHL affiliate, Providence Bruins He spent most of the 2006-2007 season in Providence. Krejci led the team in scoring with thirty one goals and forty three assists. Not bad at all for a player who sustained a serious concussion on his third shift in his career. He was called up to Boston to play in his first NHL game on January 30th, on a road game against Buffalo. He ended up playing six games for the big B’s that year. In the playoffs, David led the P-Bruins in playoff scoring with sixteen points(three goals).
The 2007-08 season found Krejci bouncing back and forth between the Bruins franchises. He put down fifty six games for Boston, and twenty five for Providence. Krejci scored his first NHL goal on February 26, against the Ottawa Senators. He finished his rookie NHL season with twenty seven points(six goals). The 2008-09 season was a series of milestones for #46. Krejci scored his first NHL hat-trick on December 18, 2008 against the Toronto Maple Leafs in an 8–5 Bruins win. On March 30th, 2009, Krejci was named the winner of the Boston Bruins’ 2009 Seventh Player Award. The award is given annually to the player who “goes beyond the call of duty and exceeds all expectations” throughout the course of the season. Krejci’s play-making ability made his sophomore season. He completed his second NHL season with seventy three points(twenty-two goals). He also earned the NHL Plus-Minus Award, for a league leading +37.
The 2009-2010 season found Krejci battling not just for the puck, but for his health as well. He was diagnosed with H1N1 in early November. (A player so tough that the superflu could only sideline him for three games!) He still ended up being tied for the team lead in points with Patrice Bergeron, but finished second in the team’s scoring race with two fewer goals than Bergy. Played his 200th B-Bruins game Febuary 11th in Tampa Bay. He earned his 100th B-Bruins assist March 25th.(also against the Tampa Bay Lightning.) He ended the season with fifty two points(seventeen goals).
I can’t help it when I call the 2010-2011 season magical. Krejci had a sixty two point season(thirteen goals). Krejci did it all. Scores, assists, and on occasion, mix it up to help out the team. Here he is going a quick do-see-do with future teammate Benoit Pouliot. He added twelve goals in the playoffs, and eleven assists. The Bruins became Stanley Cup Champions on June 15, 2011 thanks to the hard work and dedication from this Czech forward. Last season, Krejci matched his previous year’s total with sixty two points(twenty three goals). He also put down his second career hat trick on March 1, 2012. (I was THERE! So awesome. Threw my white 2011 hat on the ice. I never got it back though. That didn’t matter though, it was my chance to be part of another great moment for Bruins Nation.) Krejci also got some attention in the post-season, being struck in the head by a pane of glass after the game one win against the Washington Capitals. He sustained no serious injury and was able to play out the series. Sadly, we went down in seven.
Next season, we’ve got a healthy Krejci and he’ll be ready to take on the rest of the NHL. (Lockout not withstanding.)