Michal Neuvirth, a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender, began his NHL career with the Washington Capitals. Drafted 34th overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Neuvirth honed his skills in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Hershey Bears, the Capitals' affiliate team. His time in the AHL was marked by back-to-back Calder Cup championships in 2009 and 2010, where he played a crucial role in the Bears' success.
Neuvirth's transition to the NHL saw him sharing goaltending duties with Semyon Varlamov during the 2010-2011 season. He quickly established himself as a reliable presence in the net, earning the starting position for the Capitals in the playoffs that year. Despite a strong performance, the Capitals were eliminated in the second round by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
In the following seasons, Neuvirth faced stiff competition for the starting goaltender position, particularly with the emergence of Braden Holtby. This competition led to fluctuating playing time, and Neuvirth found himself in a backup role more often than not. Despite this, he continued to deliver solid performances when called upon, showcasing his agility and quick reflexes.
In March 2014, Neuvirth was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, where he had the opportunity to compete for the starting goaltender position. His tenure with the Sabres was marked by a series of strong performances, although the team struggled overall. Neuvirth's time in Buffalo was relatively short-lived, as he was traded to the New York Islanders in March 2015.
With the Islanders, Neuvirth played a backup role, appearing in a handful of games before becoming a free agent at the end of the season. In July 2015, he signed a contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, where he would spend the next four seasons. During his time with the Flyers, Neuvirth experienced both highs and lows. He delivered several standout performances, including a memorable playoff series against the Washington Capitals in 2016, where he posted a .981 save percentage over three games.
Injuries, however, plagued Neuvirth throughout his career, particularly during his stint with the Flyers. These setbacks limited his playing time and consistency, often sidelining him for extended periods. Despite these challenges, Neuvirth remained a respected figure in the locker room and continued to contribute when healthy.
After his contract with the Flyers ended, Neuvirth signed a professional tryout contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019. Unfortunately, injuries continued to hamper his ability to compete, and he was released from the tryout before the start of the regular season.
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