Radek Faksa

• Faksa led all Ontario Hockey League rookies in goals (29), assists (37), points (66), game-winning goals (6) and plus-minus (+19) during the 2011-12 season.

• He represented the Czech Republic at the 2012 World Junior Championship, recording two goals in six games to help the Czech Republic finish in fifth place. Faksa says making the team is his most memorable hockey moment. He also played for the Czech Republic at the 2011 Under-18 World Championship with fellow prospect Martin Frk (No. 20-ranked North American skater).

• Faksa lived in a hotel for five years while playing for Trinec, which is about 50 miles southeast of his hometown. Trinec has developed several NHLers, including Martin Havlat, Radek Bonk and Roman Cechmanek.

• Jaromir Jagr was Faksa’s hockey idol growing up -- "He is the most popular player in the Czech Republic and I like his style of play. He is very offensive (minded).”

• His mother, a former figure skater, started teaching him to skate at age three. Faksa credits his success in hockey to both his parents and coaches; his parents for the support they provided and his coaches for allowing him to play with older players to help his development. Faksa’s older brother, Martin, was a defenseman and his uncle, Stanislav Pavelec, played professional hockey for seven years in the Czech Republic.

• He still enjoys playing hockey off the ice -- his summer ball hockey team won the Czech National Championship in 2011.

FAVORITES

NHL team: Edmonton Oilers
NHL player: Pavel Datsyuk
Shootout move: “Backhand deke”
Goal celebration: “Hand in the air, pointed finger to sky”
Video game: NHL ‘12
TV show: Just for Laughs
Actor: Channing Tatum
Musician: Rihanna
Website: Hokej.cz
Activity away from the rink: Any other sport
Home-cooked meal: Pork, dumplings and cabbage