Jiří Dudáček (WFAC)

Jiří Dudáček (born April 4, 1962) is a retired Czechoslovak professional ice hockey player. He was drafted in the first round, 17th overall, by the in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, making him the first Czechoslovak player to be selected in the first round of a National Hockey League (NHL) draft. During his NHL career, he played with the Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, and St. Louis Blues.

Dudáček played for  in the Czechoslovak top league at the age of 16, and was a star for the Czechoslovak team at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in 1980 and 1981. As a result, he was considered by many NHL scouts to be the top junior prospect in the 1981 draft class. Dudáček chose to play in his homeland for additional two seasons, but he signed with the Buffalo Sabres in March 1983. Dudáček made his North American pro debut in the 1983–1984 season. He played in Buffalo until 1989–90 season when he was traded to the Washington Capitals. He played an additional three seasons with the Capitals, but injuries would then take their toll on Dudáček, costing him to miss much time.

In 1993 he returned to Czechoslovakia to play for HC Kladno. After two seasons he retired following the 1994–1995 season.

Dudáček played 123 games for the Czechoslovak national team and has played in nine World Championships (1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1991). In 1985 he won the gold medal, silver in 1982 and bronze in 1981, 1989 and 1990.

After he retired he had a long coaching career, starting behind the bench as an assistant coach on the Czechoslovak junior national team, attending five World Junior Championships with the team between 1996 and 2000. He then coached HC Kladno (2001–2005) and (2007–2009). He then served as the assistant coach under from 2009 to 2012. Dudáček is currently a European-based scout for the Buffalo Sabres.

In 1992 he represented Sweden in the Olympic Games in Albertville.

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