Karel Rachůnek (born August 27, 1979, in Gottwaldov,
Czechoslovakia) is a Czech professional ice hockey
defenceman who plays for the New Jersey Devils. He
was drafted in the ninth round, 229th overall, by
the Ottawa Senators in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.
Drafted out of the Czech Extraliga's HC Zlín,
Rachůnek made his North American debut with the
Grand Rapids Griffins of the International Hockey
League during the 1998-99 season. He made his
National Hockey League debut during the same season,
appearing in six games for the Senators. He played
with Ottawa until being traded, along with Alexandre
Giroux, to the New York Rangers in exchange for Greg
de Vries during the 2003-04 season.
During the 2004-05 NHL lockout, Rachůnek returned to
the Czech Extraliga to play for HC JME Znojemští
Orli. He stayed in Europe for the 2005-06 season,
playing in the Russian Superleague for Lokomotiv
Yaroslavl. It is reported that Rachůnek was unhappy
with the circumstances surrounding his trade from
Ottawa to the Rangers, and that is why he decided to
stay in the RSL during the 2005-06 season. However
in July of 2006 he signed with the Rangers and
played with them during the 2006-07 NHL season.
On July 3, 2007, he signed a one year contract with
the New Jersey Devils.
