Branko RadivojeviÃÂ ( / ; born 24 November 1980) is a Slovak former professional ice hockey forward who began and finished his career playing for HK Dukla TrenÃÂÃÂn of the Slovak Extraliga. He also played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers and Minnesota Wild from 2002 to 2008, and other leagues in Europe during his career, which lasted from 1998 to 2019.
Drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 1999, Radivojeviàsigned a 3-year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes on 19 June 2001 and played parts of the next three seasons there. Part of a mid-season trade in 2003âÂÂ04, he was sent to the Philadelphia Flyers along with Sean Burke and the rights to Ben Eager for Mike Comrie. After 2005âÂÂ06, the Flyers declined to tender him a qualifying offer, thus making him an unrestricted free agent. He signed with the Minnesota Wild as an unrestricted free agent on 6 July 2006. After a couple seasons with the Wild, he opted to go to the KHL.
After two years with the Wild, Radivojeviàsigned with Spartak Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). In the 2008âÂÂ09 season Branko established himself as an offensive presence with Spartak, leading the team in scoring with 45 points in 49 games. He was re-signed to a further two-year contract with Spartak on 23 December 2009.
After three seasons with Spartak (during the last one he was the captain of the team) Branko decided to change the team. After some arguments with Spartak's management his contract was terminated and Branko signed with Atlant Moscow Oblast. After spending only one season with Atlant (2011âÂÂ2012) he returned to Spartak. For 2013-14 season he signed with Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, but changed the team during the season for Slovan Bratislava.
In the 2014âÂÂ15 season, Radivojevic returned to his original hometown club in HK Dukla TrenÃÂÃÂn of the Slovak Extraliga. However, after just 12 games he left for the Czech Extraliga, signing for the remainder of the season with HC BÃÂlàTygà Âi Liberec on 14 October 2014.
Returning for a third stint with Dukla, Radivojevic played the final two seasons of his 21-year career before announcing his retirement upon the conclusion of the 2018âÂÂ19 season on 20 March 2019.
Branko's father Matija, a Bosnian Serb, came to Czechoslovakia during the 1970s as a contractor of a Yugoslavian company. His son, Luka, is also a hockey player who currently plays for Boston College.