Michal Barinka

Drafted 2002, 1 #60 by Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the CHL Import Draft
Cult/Star player for HC Vitkovice

Michal Barinka started his career as five years old in Tábor and until he was eight, he was playing as goaltender. From Tábor he moved to České Budějovice. During junior extraleague match 2001-11-03 in Karlovy Vary he suffered serious injury, when his opponent stabbed him with his stick and tore Barinka's spleen. He underwent surgery during which doctors removed half of his spleen, but after two months recovery he was able to play hockey again, even making his debut in senior hockey.

He was drafted by Chicago Blackhawks i 2003 Entry Draft, 59th overall. He made his debut in 2003-04. After spending the lockout season in AHL, he continued in North America the following season too. He played another 25 games for Chicago, but didn't score a goal.

After the season he was traded to Ottawa Senators in a three-way deal. Getting no chance from Ottawa and playing only in AHL for Binghamton Senators, he called his NHL career a quit and returned back to Europe. He finished the season in HC Vitkovice and SC Bern.

Following season Barinka played in Czech republic, but he was often hunted by injuries. In the second half of 2010-11 season he tried his luck in KHL, but after the season he moved to Switzerland and spent the next year in HC Fribourg-Gottéron. Then he returned to HC Vitkovice and served as assistant of captain for two years.

Before 2014-15 season he signed with HC Sparta Prague and became one of their key defenders, still often battling with injuries. Before 2017-18 he was released from the team.

Barinka represented Czech republic on three World Championships (2007, 2009 and 2010), winning gold medal in 2009. He was also given a chance in three matches on Olympic games in 2014.