Martin Erat

1.1. NHL Draft and Debut

Erat was selected by the Nashville Predators in the seventh round, 191st overall, of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He was the team's 12th pick in that draft. He made his NHL debut in the 2001-02 NHL season, making an immediate impact as a member of the "vowel line" alongside Vladimír Országh and Denis Arkhipov. His first NHL point was a game-winning goal against the Calgary Flames on October 11, 2001. In his rookie season, he set then-Nashville rookie records for games played (80), assists (24), and points (33).

His sophomore season in 2002-03 proved challenging, with Erat spending most of the year with the Predators' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. Following a change of his jersey number from 19 to 10 in the off-season, his performance improved significantly in his third season, 2003-04. He achieved career highs with 16 goals, 33 assists, and 49 points, also ranking second on the team with a +10 plus-minus rating. Erat recorded his first Stanley Cup playoff point with an assist in the 2004 Western Conference Quarterfinals during a 2-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on April 10, 2004.

1.2. Nashville Predators Era

During the 2004-05 NHL lockout, Erat returned to the Czech Republic to play for HC Zlín in the Czech Extraliga. He finished eighth in the league in scoring, tallying 20 goals and 23 assists in 48 games.

In the 2005-06 NHL season, his fourth season with the Predators, Erat scored a career-high 20 goals and accumulated 49 points. He also represented the Czech national team at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, where he contributed to the team's bronze medal victory.

Erat emerged as a legitimate first-line player during the 2006-07 NHL season, recording 57 points in 68 games. He frequently played on the top offensive unit with Paul Kariya and David Legwand. However, he missed the final five weeks of the season due to a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL). In 2007-08, Erat set new career highs with 23 goals and 34 assists, once again reaching the 57-point mark. Following this season, he signed a seven-year contract extension with the Predators worth 31.50 M USD. He achieved two career hat-tricks during his tenure with Nashville: one against the Edmonton Oilers and another against the Vancouver Canucks on December 8, 2009.

On April 3, 2013, at the NHL trade deadline, the Predators traded Erat and Michael Latta to the Washington Capitals in exchange for prospect Filip Forsberg. Erat had requested a trade from Nashville and waived a no-trade clause in his contract to facilitate the move.

1.3. Washington Capitals and Arizona Coyotes Era

Erat's time with the Washington Capitals was brief. On November 25, 2013, just eight months after joining the team, he requested a trade for the second time. His first request came in October after he was demoted to the team's fourth line. The second request followed his first career healthy scratch. Erat stated he would waive his no-trade clause, indicating it was "time to move on."

On March 4, 2014, on the eve of the 2013-14 NHL trade deadline, Erat was traded along with John Mitchell to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Chris Brown, Rostislav Klesla, and a fourth-round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He played with the Coyotes until the end of the 2014-15 NHL season.

1.4. Return to KHL and Czech League

After 13 seasons and 881 regular season games in the NHL, Erat left North America as a free agent. On September 17, 2015, he signed a one-year contract with the Russian club Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). In May 2016, he returned to the Czech Extraliga, signing a contract with HC Kometa Brno. On April 19, 2017, Erat played a key role in helping HC Kometa Brno claim its 12th championship, ending a 51-year drought for the club. Erat officially retired from professional ice hockey on May 30, 2019.

2.1. Olympic Games

Erat participated in four Winter Olympic Games. He was a member of the bronze medal-winning Czech team at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. He also represented the Czech Republic at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi (where he was called up to replace Vladimír Sobotka), and the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

2.2. World Championships

Erat contributed to the Czech Republic's success at the Ice Hockey World Championships. He was a member of the silver medal-winning team at the 2006 IIHF World Championship in Riga. Six years later, he helped the team secure a bronze medal at the 2012 IIHF World Championship in Helsinki. He also played in the 2008 IIHF World Championship and the 2015 IIHF World Championship.

2.3. Junior Competitions

Erat had a successful junior international career. He participated in the 1999 IIHF World U18 Championships. Most notably, he was part of the Czech Republic junior team that won the gold medal at the 2001 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Moscow.

5.1. NHL Statistics

The table below details Erat's regular season and playoff statistics in the National Hockey League.

5.2. KHL and Czech League Statistics

The following table summarizes Erat's performance in the Kontinental Hockey League and the Czech Extraliga, including his time in junior leagues and during the NHL lockout.

5.3. International Statistics

The table below displays Erat's statistical records from his participation in various international tournaments for the Czech Republic.