In the late 1990s the Philadelphia Flyers tried a late round draft gamble. It did not pan out, but it was certainly worth the 195th overall pick in 1998 and the 208th overall pick in 1999.
With those two picks the Flyers selected two little-known Czech prospects, Tomas Divisek and Vaclav Pletka. The two showed good chemistry together, especially at the 1999 World Juniors.
Pletka was the undersized winger and goal scorer. Divisek did not have a lot of offensive upside, but the big center handled the puck well and had good hockey sense. He was sound defensively.
Divisek came to North America in 1999, with Pletka coming the year later. Divisek would end up playing three seasons in the AHL. His offensive numbers were relatively underwhelming, but he was recognized for his solid play and acceptance of the physical play.
Divisek would only be called up to play in a total of five NHL games. Divisek's only NHL goal came against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 4-3 win for the Flyers. Nikolai Khabibulin was in net for the Lightning.
Divisek's career did not pan out in North America, but he returned home to the Czech Republic and starred in the Czech Elite League for many years.
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