Since entering the NHL in 1991-92, Josef Beranek has been a talented offensive forward on four different clubs. Among his strengths were a natural touch around the net and crisp accurate passes to his linemates.
The native of Litvinov, Czechoslovakia starred in the domestic league with CHZ Litvinov and Dukla Trencin. He was chosen 78th overall by the Edmonton Oilers at the 1989 Entry Draft and joined the team at training camp in 1991. He scored 28 points as a rookie and contributed two goals in the post-season when the team reached the semi-finals unexpectedly.
Halfway through the 1992-93 season, Beranek was obtained by the rebuilding Philadelphia Flyers. He appeared to find a permanent home in Philly after scoring 28 goals in 1993-94 but was traded to Vancouver shortly after the lockout-shortened season resumed in 1995. The lanky forward was a solid all-round performer and helped his new club reach the second round of the playoffs.
Beranek's long journey continued in 1996-97 when he returned home to play for Petra Vsetin club. He spent most of two years there save for a brief tenure with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 1998 he scored a goal when the Czech Republic won the gold medal at the Nagano Olympics. The next season the talented veteran returned to the NHL and recorded 49 points in 66 games on the speedy Edmonton Oilers. Late in the 1999-00 season Beranek was re-acquired by Pittsburgh where he was a solid role player on the offensive-minded club when it reached the Eastern Conference final in 2001.
Following his second stint with the Penguins, Beranek opted to return to his homeland in 2001-02 and has been a member of Slavia Praha HC of the Czech Republic League since.
On the international stage Beranek has represented his homeland at the 1989 World Junior Championships, the 1991 Canada Cup, the 1996 World Cup, the 1998 Olympic Winter Games and is a four-time member of its World Championship team (1993, 1994, 1998 and 2004).
