Marián Gáborík is a Slovak former professional ice hockey right winger. He began his playing career in the Slovak Extraliga with Dukla Trenčín for two seasons before being drafted third overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild, becoming the highest-drafted Slovak player in National Hockey League (NHL) history until Juraj Slafkovský, who was drafted 1st overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He was the Wild's first-ever draft pick and would score the team's first-ever regular season goal.
Gáborík with the Minnesota Wild in 2009.
Gáborík during the 2010 Winter Olympics
Gáborík saluting the crowd following his five-goal game against the Rangers in 2007.
Gáborík with the Rangers in 2011
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and play their home games at the Xcel Energy Center.
On June 19, 2000, the Minnesota Wild named Jacques Lemaire as their first head coach.
Marian Gaborik waves to the crowd after a five-goal performance against the New York Rangers in the 2007–08 season.
The Wild faced the Carolina Hurricanes at Hartwall Areena in Helsinki to open the 2010–11 season.
Josh Harding led the NHL in save percentage and goals-against average before succumbing to injuries during the 2013–14 regular season.