Robert HolÃÂk (born January 1, 1971) is a Czech-American former professional ice hockey center who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). HolÃÂk is the son of Jaroslav HolÃÂk, a Czechoslovak ice hockey world champion in 1972 and Czech national team head coach who led the under-20 team to world titles in 2000 and 2001. HolÃÂk is the current head coach of the Israel men's national ice hockey team.
HolÃÂk began his NHL career playing for the Hartford Whalers in 1990 after being selected tenth overall by them in the 1989 NHL entry draft. After two seasons with the Whalers, he was traded to the New Jersey Devils where he played for ten seasons, featuring as a member of the "Crash Line" alongside Mike Peluso and Randy McKay, and winning two Stanley Cup championships, in 1995 and 2000. Prior to the 2002âÂÂ03 season, as a free agent, HolÃÂk signed a five-year, $45 million contract with the New York Rangers.
In 2005, following the 2004âÂÂ05 NHL lockout, the Rangers bought out the remainder of HolÃÂk's contract, after which he signed with the Atlanta Thrashers. On October 2, 2007, he was named captain of the Thrashers for the 2007âÂÂ08 season.
On July 1, 2008, as a free agent, HolÃÂk signed a one-year contract with the New Jersey Devils for the 2008âÂÂ09 season, returning to the team he played ten seasons with.
On May 23, 2009, following the conclusion of the 2008âÂÂ09 season, HolÃÂk announced his retirement from the NHL. He was 38 when he retired and cited a focus to be with his family. Since 2017, HolÃÂk has run a hockey school in Israel and coached their U-18 and U-20 programs.
HolÃÂk became an American citizen in a ceremony in Newark, New Jersey, on November 4, 1996. He is married with a daughter, Hannah Marie HolÃÂk, born in 1997, and splits his time between Wyoming and Florida.
HolÃÂk's nephew, David Musil, was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers.
HolÃÂk is an avid rifle, pistol and shotgun enthusiast. After being introduced to firearms manufacturer CZ-USA's president Alice Poluchová by shooting instructor Shepard Humphries, HolÃÂk became CZ-USA's celebrity representative.