Jaroslav Halak   

Jaroslav Halak   was born in May 13, 1985 in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia.  He started and honed his  skills in his native land where he was named the top goalie during his stint with the Slovakian U-18 team in 2003 tournament . He also helped lead the team during this season to a silver medal. 

Crossing over to North America, he played with the QMJHL for Lewiston in 2004-05 and led the Lewiston Maineiacs   to    24-17-4  during his first season with the club. He ended the season with 24 wins against 17 losses . Jaroslav Halak posted  an impressive 2.78 GAA and .913 save percentage during his first year with the QMJHL .  He also played for the Bulldogs after  Lewiston was knocked out of the playoffs.

  Jaroslav Halak was   drafted  in the  9th round ( 2003 NHL Entry Draft 271st) overall by the Montreal Canadiens  . Jaroslav Halak moved to the Canadiens’ ECHL affiliate in Long Beach in 2005-2006 where he led the league in save percentage.  Halak also ranked second in the league in goals against average. Jaroslav Halak was called  up to see 13 games with the AHL’s  Hamilton Bulldogs.  In 2006-2007, Jaroslav  Halak joined the club and  led the league in GAA. On February 18, 2007 , Halak  made his NHL debut with the Canadiens and  impressed the club when he won the first of the three games he started in the NHL.

Halak spent the 2007-2008 season with Montreal’s affiliate in Hamilton. He took over as full-time backup to Carey Price when the Canadiens dealt Cristobal Huet to the Washington Capitals. Halak appeared in six games for the Canadiens during regular season.  He posted two shutouts,  .. 929 save percentage in 28 games and a 2.10 goals against average with the club.   He played 77 minutes during his  two playoff games in Montreal.

Halak also played for Team Slovakia in the 2007 Men’s World Hockey Championships.

Halak has  potential to be a number –one goaltender    and could push the club to  a higher position . During the 2008-2009 he was voted Canadiens Player of the Month in February  with 5 wins, 1 So and a .931 save % He  could  play to prove himself to  a higher level which  should  push the club to decide on his  future with the club.  2008-09: 
2 CD Special

Halak’s Stats

Jaroslav Halak
Position: Goaltender
Catches : Left
Shoots: R
Weight : 165 lbs.
Height : 5' 11"
Last Amateur club : Lewiston MAINEiacs (QMJHL)
Drafted: Montréal's 9th round choice, 271st overall, in 2003