Aleš Hemský
A Czech winger whose dazzling hands and creative flair provided moments of pure, artistic brilliance for Edmonton Oilers fans during the post-dynasty years.
Born 1983 (age 43)·Czech ice hockey player·Birthday: August 13·Millennials
Biography
Aleš Hemský arrived in the NHL with the soft hands of a sculptor and the vision of a playmaker, offering Edmonton a glimpse of sublime skill during an era often defined by grit. Drafted 13th overall in 2001, he became a fixture on the Oilers' wing for a decade, a constant threat on the power play where his patience and pinpoint passing created magic. While injuries sometimes interrupted his flow, his peak seasons were showcases of offensive artistry, most notably during the Oilers' unexpected run to the 2006 Stanley Cup Final. After his long tenure in Edmonton, he became a hired gun for contenders like Ottawa and Dallas, valued for his veteran savvy and specialist skill. For Czech national teams, he was a stalwart, competing in multiple World Championships and two Olympic tournaments, leaving a legacy of elegance on the ice.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Aleš was born in 1983, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Aleš Was Born
The biggest hits of 1983
#1 Movie
Return of the Jedi
Best Picture
Terms of Endearment
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Aleš's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1983Born
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1988Started school
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1996Became a teenager
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Could drive
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2001Could vote
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Turned 21
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2013Turned 30
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2023Turned 40
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 43 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Recorded a career-high 77 points (22 goals, 55 assists) in the 2005-06 season with the Edmonton Oilers.
- Helped lead the Edmonton Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final in 2006, contributing 17 playoff points.
- Represented the Czech Republic at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
- Played over 800 games in the NHL across four different franchises.
Did You Know?
He was famously nicknamed 'Hemsky and Dandy' by Oilers broadcasters for his smooth style.
He scored his first NHL goal in his very first game, on October 10, 2002.
He won a bronze medal with the Czech Republic at the 2012 IIHF World Championship.
“I see the play before the pass, in the spaces others don't.”
