Detroit Red Wings

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Lore & Background

Kopecký's time with Detroit was defined by resilience through injury and a pivotal role in their 2008 championship run. On 14 December 2006, just minutes into the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks, he suffered a broken clavicle after falling and being hit by Jim Vandermeer, limiting him to only 26 games that season. He later switched his jersey number from 28 to 82 following the acquisition of Brian Rafalski. Despite tearing his ACL on 3 April 2008 against the Columbus Blue Jackets with five games left in the regular season, he recovered in time for the Stanley Cup Final. Although he missed all postseason action that year due to the injury, his presence contributed to the team's success as they swept Pittsburgh. The following season, Kopecký played in eight playoff games without scoring a goal but recorded one assist before Detroit fell to Pittsburgh in seven games.

In Their Own Story

The 2008 Stanley Cup Final saw Kopecký sidelined by an ACL tear suffered just weeks prior, yet the Red Wings still captured the title. In the 2009 playoffs, he returned to the lineup but played only eight games, failing to find the net while recording a single assist as Detroit returned to the Final against Pittsburgh. The series ended in seven games, one win short of back-to-back titles. His final season with the Wings saw him log 79 regular-season contests, tallying six goals and 13 assists. A physical presence on the fourth line, he navigated a career marked by significant injuries, including a broken clavicle that required surgery the day after his collision with Vandermeer in December 2006.

Reader's Guide

On 14 December 2006, he broke his clavicle and missed significant time. Later, on 3 April 2008, he tore his ACL against Columbus, missing the end of the regular season and all playoffs despite the team winning the Cup. **Jersey Number Change:** Originally wearing number 28, Kopecký switched to 82 after Detroit signed free agent defenseman Brian Rafalski. **Playoff Contributions:** In his first playoff run in 2006, he played only one game. By 2009, he appeared in eight postseason games for the Red Wings, scoring zero goals and recording one assist before the team lost the Stanley Cup Final to Pittsburgh.

Did You Know?

• Kopecký made his NHL debut on 28 February 2006 and played only one game that season.
• He tore his ACL on 3 April 2008, missing the rest of the regular season but still winning the Stanley Cup with Detroit.
• Kopecký switched his jersey number from 28 to 82 after the Red Wings acquired Brian Rafalski.
• In the 2009 playoffs, he played eight games for Detroit without scoring a goal.
• He suffered a broken clavicle on 14 December 2006 after falling and being hit by Jim Vandermeer.