David Krejci

David Krejci
Name	David Krejci
Birth date	28 April 1986
Birth place	Šternberk, Czechoslovakia
Weight lb	193
Position	Centre
Shoots	Left
League	NHL
Team	Boston Bruins
Former teams	HC Kladno
Draft	63rd overall, 2004 NHL Entry Draft
Draft team	Ottawa Senators
Career start	2005

David Krejci

David Krejci is a Czech professional ice hockey centre known for his playmaking, faceoff ability, and two-way instincts. He has been a long-time member of the Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League and a key contributor to the Bruins' 2011 Stanley Cup championship. Over a career spanning Czech Republic, North America, and international tournaments, he has played alongside and against many notable figures in NHL history such as Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara, Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, and Jaromir Jagr.

Early life and junior career

Krejci was born in Šternberk, Czechoslovakia and developed in the youth system of HC Kladno, the club associated with František Kaberle and Jaroslav Modry. As a teenager he appeared in Czech junior competitions and represented regional teams in tournaments like the World U18 Championships and the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, attracting attention from scouts from the NHL Entry Draft, Canadian Hockey League, and European clubs. After being selected 63rd overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, he signed with HC Kladno for senior play and later moved to North America to join the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League and the Boston Bruins organization, following a trend of Czech players such as Patrik Elias and Milan Hejduk transitioning to the NHL.

Professional career

Krejci made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins and soon established chemistry with centremen and wingers including Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and veterans like Mark Recchi. He played an instrumental role in the Bruins' 2010–11 season culminating in the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals victory over the Vancouver Canucks, joining teammates Zdeno Chara, Tim Thomas, Rich Peverley, and Krejci's linemates in playoff success. Over subsequent seasons he earned selections to international exhibition games and NHL milestone lists, recorded multiple 50+ point campaigns, and participated in the NHL All-Star Game milieu alongside stars such as Evgeni Malkin and Nicklas Backstrom.

Injuries and lockouts affected parts of his career; during the 2012–13 NHL lockout and other interruptions he returned to play in the Czech Extraliga and for HC Kladno, joining contemporaries like Roman Cervenka and Tomas Plekanec in European competition. He signed contract extensions with the Bruins, negotiated with general managers including Peter Chiarelli and Don Sweeney, and adapted to coaching changes under Claude Julien and Bruce Cassidy. His club career includes playoff series against teams such as the Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks, and Washington Capitals.

International play

Krejci represented the Czech Republic national ice hockey team at multiple levels, competing in tournaments like the IIHF World Championship, the Winter Olympics, and junior world events. He played alongside Czech stars including Jaromir Jagr, Patrik Elias, Milan Gaborik, and Jakub Voracek in international competition, contributing in scoring and playmaking roles against national teams such as Canada, Russia, Sweden, and Finland. His international appearances include medal contention at World Championships and selection to Olympic rosters during campaigns featuring NHL players like Pavel Datsyuk and Zach Parise.

Playing style and legacy

Krejci is widely regarded for elite vision, puck distribution, and faceoff proficiency, traits shared with centres like Anze Kopitar and Niklas Backstrom; he combines playmaking with responsible defensive coverage reminiscent of Patrice Bergeron. Analysts and coaches compared his situational awareness to established playmakers such as Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin, while his size and reach allowed him to protect the puck against opponents like Ryan Getzlaf and Evgeni Malkin. His legacy includes being a foundational top-six centre for the Boston Bruins during a period that featured notable rivalries with franchises like the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers. He is often cited in team histories and statistical lists for points, assists, and playoff contributions alongside names like Ray Bourque and Cam Neely in club lore.

Personal life

Off the ice Krejci has ties to the Czech hockey community and family connections to HC Kladno ownership and alumni networks including Milan Kundera-era Czech cultural figures and sports administrators. He has been involved in charity events and community programs connected to the Boston Bruins Foundation and participated in alumni games and benefit matches alongside former teammates like Patrice Bergeron and club legends such as Phil Esposito. Krejci maintains residence periods in both Prague and Boston and has been featured in Czech and North American media outlets covering hockey, sports philanthropy, and athlete family life.

Category:Boston Bruins players Category:Czech ice hockey centres Category:Stanley Cup champions