Tomas Plekanec has been a member of the Montreal Canadiens organization for 16 years, ever since he was drafted in the third round of the 2001 entry draft, 71st overall. He’s approaching a very rare milestone for the team, but there is serious doubt on whether he will attain it.
After getting drafted in 2001, he played one more season in the Czech Republic with HC Kladno before signing a three-year contract with the Canadiens on April 22nd, 2002. Once in North America, he spent the majority of his first three seasons with the Hamilton Bulldogs in the American Hockey League.