ABOUT THOMAS VANEK
Size: 6-2, 210 pounds
Age: 30. Born Jan. 19, 1984, in Austria. His parents moved to Austria from the former Czechoslovakia in 1982.
Early career: Played for Sioux Falls (S.D.) in the U.S. Hockey League from 1999-2002. He joined the Gophers in 2002.
With the Gophers: Played two seasons, leading the team in scoring both years (2003, 2004); scored 57 goals and had 56 assists in 83 games; had 31 goals as a freshman as the Gophers won their second consecutive national title.
Drafted: Fifth overall in 2003 by the Buffalo Sabres. He played his first pro season in the AHL (2004-05), scoring 42 goals for Rochester.
In the NHL: 663 games, 277 goals, 279 assists, 556 points.
Family: Wife Ashley, three sons.
Contract: Three years, $19.5 million.
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