'Dominator' Back Between The Pipes

From the AP today comes this story Sabres fans might be interested, since Hasek is such a big part of Sabres history:

By KAREL JANICEK, Associated Press Writer

PRAGUE (AP)—Six-time Vezina Trophy winner Dominik Hasek will come out of retirement to play for his former club in the top Czech league.

The 44-year-old goaltender agreed to play next season for HC Moeller Pardubice, a club in the town where he was born and started his career with, Hasek and club representatives told a news conference in Prague on Tuesday. Hasek will be the oldest player in the league, and Pardubice has an option to extend the contract by one more year.

“I’m really glad I could sign a deal with this club,” Hasek said. “It’s a club where I spent the most years. I’ve never even thought I could play for any other club in the Czech Republic. I’m looking forward to the next season.”

The announcement comes less than a year after Hasek retired after winning his second Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings last June.

“A year ago I said goodbye to the NHL but not to hockey,” Hasek said. “After a year when I was engaged in other activities I felt like returning.”

Hasek helped Pardubice win the Czech title in 1987 and ’89.

“My return won’t be easy,” Hasek said. “We have big goals with Pardubice. I don’t talk about my age but a return to top hockey will not be easy. I want to keep winning, I’m looking forward to it.”

Drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1983, Hasek joined the NHL in the 1990-1991 season and won 389 games with the Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres and the Blackhawks. He won the Hart Trophy twice as the NHL’s most valuable player and took home the Vezina six times as the league’s top goalie.

He previously retired in 2002 after winning his first Stanley Cup with Detroit but rejoined the NHL in the 2003-04 season.

Hasek played two games for Pardubice during the 2004-05 lockout season.

He also led the Czech Republic to a gold medal at 1998 Nagano Olympics—and is now hoping for an encore at next year’s Winter Games in Vancouver.

Hasek said he didn’t know whether the Czech coaches are interested in having him on the team, but that playing in another Olympics “will be a motivation for me in training.”