| Born: | Nov 28, 1979 | Draft: | 2002 Blue Jackets, 184th Overall |
| Hometown: | Uherské Hradiště, Czechoslovakia | Position: | Right Wing |
| Known For: | 2x Czech Extraliga Champion | Shoots: | Left |
| National Team: | Czechia | Current Status: | Retired |
Jaroslav Balastik (born November 28, 1979) is a former Czechia ice hockey player, having played his final year in the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2006-2007 season. Drafted 184th overall by Columbus in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Balastik spent eight years in the HC Zlín program in several Czechia leagues, developing a strong two-way game and building up his scoring capabilities. He debuted with the Blue Jackets during the 2005-06 season, appearing in 66 games and registering 12 goals and 10 assists. The following year, Balastik received limited playing time and due to the team moving in a different direction, he was released from his contract, bringing an end to his short-lived tenure in the NHL.
Balastik returned to the Czechia league, where he continued to play for HC Zlín. In seven seasons, he led the league in scoring once while captaining the team for three seasons. Balastik captured his second Czech Extraliga Championship in 2014, one year after his club finished second, and he retired at the conclusion of the following season. Despite only playing in 74 career NHL games, his legacy in Czechia Hockey will be remembered in his home country.
Jaroslav Balastik Statistics
Deeper Dive
Staff History
- HC Spartak Uherský Brod, Czechia4 (Head Coach) 2021-current
Achievements
- 3x Czech Extraliga Silver Medal (1999, 2005, 2013)
- Czech Extraliga Bronze Medal (2002)
- Czech Extraliga Most Shorthanded Goals (2003)
- SM-liiga Bronze Medal (2003)
- 2x Czech and Slovakian Extraliga All-Star Game (2004, 2005)
- 2x Czech Extraliga Champion (2004, 2014)
- 3x Czech Extraliga Most Goals (2004, 2005, 2008)
- 3x Czech Extraliga Most Power Play Goals (2004, 2005, 2008)
- Czech Extraliga Playoffs Most Goals (2004)
- Czech Extraliga Playoffs Most Penalized Player (2005)
- World Championship Silver Medal (2006)
- Czech Extraliga Most Game Winning Goals (2008)
