Andrej Meszároš
A sturdy Slovak defenseman who carved out a decade in the NHL, known for his hard shot and physical presence on the blue line.
Born 1985 (age 41)·Slovak ice hockey player·Birthday: October 13·Millennials
Biography
Andrej Meszároš announced himself to the hockey world not in North America, but in the Czech league, where his poised, two-way play made him a top draft prospect. The Ottawa Senators selected him in the first round, and he immediately made an impact, earning a spot on the NHL's All-Rookie Team. Meszároš played a straightforward, robust game: he cleared the net, blocked shots, and possessed a cannonading slap shot that made him a power-play threat. His journey saw him log significant minutes for Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, and Boston, often as a reliable second-pairing defender. While injuries eventually slowed his pace, his career stands as a testament to the steady export of Slovak talent to the world's top league.
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.
Andrej was born in 1985, 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 Andrej Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Andrej's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
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
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2006 after his first season with the Ottawa Senators.
- Represented Slovakia in multiple international tournaments, including the 2010 Winter Olympics.
- Played over 700 regular-season games in the NHL across ten seasons.
- Won a silver medal with Team Slovakia at the 2012 IIHF World Championships.
Did You Know?
He was drafted 23rd overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, the same draft that produced Alex Ovechkin.
Meszároš scored his first NHL goal in his very first game with the Ottawa Senators.
He played his final professional seasons back in Europe, for HC Slovan Bratislava in the KHL.
His nickname among teammates and fans was often 'Mesz'.
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