Ondřej Kaše
Ondřej Kaše is a Czech professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing with HC Litvínov of the Czech Extraliga.
He most recently played for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League. He previously played with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and Anaheim Ducks. Kase was selected by the Ducks in the seventh round, 205th overall during the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Playing career
Czech Republic
Kaše made his Czech Extraliga debut playing with Piráti Chomutov debut during the 2013–14 Czech Extraliga season. Kaše recorded seven points in 37 games for Chomutov, while also appearing in five games with SK Kadan. At the conclusion of the season, Kaše was selected in the seventh round, 205th overall during the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Kaše increased his scoring totals the following season, scoring seven goals and 21 points in 37 games.Anaheim Ducks
On 14 May 2015, Kaše was signed to a three-year entry-level contract with the Ducks. Kaše spent the entirety of the 2015–16 season with the Ducks' American Hockey League affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. In 25 games with the club, Kaše scored eight goals and 14 points. He also contributed one goal and four points in nine postseason games.On 4 November 2016, Kaše recorded his first career NHL point, assisting on a goal by Antoine Vermette during a 5–1 win over the Arizona Coyotes. One month later on 1 December, Kaše scored his first career goal against Ryan Miller of the Vancouver Canucks in a 3–1 win. Kaše finished his rookie season with five goals and 15 points in 53 games. The following season, Kaše upped his totals by scoring 20 goals and 38 points in 66 games.
On 15 August 2018, the Ducks re-signed Kaše to a three-year, $7.8 million contract extension worth $2.6 million annually. He played in 30 games for the Ducks, recording 20 points, before requiring season-ending surgery after an injury in a game against the Minnesota Wild.
Boston Bruins
On 21 February 2020, Kaše was traded to the Boston Bruins in exchange for David Backes, Axel Andersson and a 2020 first-round pick. Kaše played six games with the Bruins before the season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He had registered a single assist with the Bruins up to that point, but including his time with Anaheim, he had seven goals and 17 assists on the season. Once the season resumed in the playoff bubble, Kaše found some offensive success, with four assists in 11 games before the Bruins were eliminated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round.Unfortunately, Kaše's next season would be plagued by injury. Kaše was limited to just 3 games in the pandemic shortened season due to lingering concussion symptoms. As a restricted free agent, Kaše was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Bruins, releasing him to free agency.