Tomas Plekanec was born October 31, 1982 in Kladno, Czech Republic. The third round, 71st overall selection of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Plekanec honed his skills in the Czech Republic before making his North American debut in 2002-03.
After four seasons splitting his time between the Czech Republic Junior League and the Elite League, Plekanec joined the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs in 2002-03. As a rookie, Plekanec registered 46 points (19-27-46) and helped the Bulldogs reach the Calder Cup final, only to fall short in seven games against the Houston Aeros.
A member of the Czech Republic's World Junior team in 2001 and 2002, Plekanec made his NHL debut with Montreal during the 2003-04 season. Plekanec went on to play two games with Montreal while spending the majority of the season with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs. In his first full season with the club, Plekanec tallied 66 points (23-43-66).He would spend another season in Hamilton due to the NHL lockout, but become a regular in the Habs line-up during the 2005-06 & 2006-07 seasons. Plekanec set new career highs in 2007-08 with 29 goals, 40 assists for 69 points on the Eastern Conference leading Canadiens.
Plekanec would establish new career-highs in goals and points during the 2014-15 season. Suiting up in all 82 games for the Canadiens, he found the back of the net 26 times and added 34 assists for 60 points.
After recording 54 points during the 2015-16 season, Plekanec would find himself in a more defensive role the following year, often centreing the fourth line. He would prove himself to be a valuable penalty killer and strong face-off presence.
On February 26, 2018, after 14 seasons with the Canadiens, Plekanec's time in Montreal would come to an end. He was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Kerby Rychel, Rinat Valiev and a second round draft pick. He would go on to suit up in 17 games for the Maple Leafs as well as all seven of the club's post-season contests. As a free agent the following summer, Plekanec agreed on terms on a one-year deal to re-join the Canadiens. Early into his return to Montreal, Plekanec would suit up in career game number 1,000. He scored a goal in the Canadiens 7-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.
Aside from his World Junior experience, Plekanec represented his homeland several times at the World Championships as well as at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympic Games, serving as captain at the latter.
