Radek Faksa Bio
Radek Faksa is a Czech professional ice hockey player who serves as a centre for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 9 January 1994 in Vítkov, Czech Republic, Faksa developed his skills in his hometown before joining the HC Oceláři Třinec system at age 11. He was selected 13th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2012 NHL entry draft, becoming the first Czech taken in the first round of an NHL draft since Jakub Voráček in 2007. Throughout his NHL career, Faksa has established himself as a reliable two-way centre known for his defensive play and physical presence. He has represented the Czech Republic at multiple international tournaments, including the World Junior Championships and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Early Life and Background
Faksa was born on 9 January 1994 in Vítkov, Czech Republic, to parents Alena and Jiri Faksa. His mother Alena was a figure skater while his uncle was a professional hockey player in the Czech Republic, giving Faksa a strong hockey lineage. He began his ice hockey career in his hometown of Opava, playing alongside his older brother Martin. As a single mother, Alena Faksa faced financial challenges funding her son’s hockey career.
At age 11, Faksa received an offer from HC Oceláři Třinec to join their hockey program. He moved alone to Třinec and lived in a hotel room paid for by the team. Faksa struggled during his first season with the organization and briefly returned home. Encouraged by his mother and the team’s general manager, he chose to continue his hockey development with Třinec.
Path to Professional Hockey
Faksa split the 2009–10 and 2010–11 seasons between HC Oceláři Třinec’s under-18 and under-20 clubs. He registered 19 goals and 30 assists with the under-18 team and nine goals with the under-20 team during this period. Following the 2010–11 season, Faksa was drafted 22nd overall in the 2011 CHL Import Draft by the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
He joined the Rangers immediately for their 2011–12 season and made an immediate impact. Faksa scored his first career OHL goal and added two assists on 1 October in a win over the Saginaw Spirit. He earned OHL Rookie of the Month honors twice during the season, leading all rookies with 16 goals and 17 assists at the mid-point. Faksa was selected to participate in the 2012 CHL Top Prospects Game and won the Showdown Breakaway Challenge in the skills competition. He finished his rookie season leading all OHL rookies with 29 goals and 37 assists for 66 points. Faksa was named to the OHL’s 2011–12 First All-Rookie Team and was nominated for the Emms Family Award as the league’s Rookie of the Year. He also received attention for his smooth transition to the North American style of play, drawing comparisons to Gabriel Landeskog.
Radek Faksa Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
Upon being drafted by the Dallas Stars, Faksa signed a three-year entry-level contract after participating in their 2012 training camp. Due to the 2012–13 NHL lockout, he returned to the Kitchener Rangers for the OHL season. Faksa recorded nine goals and 22 assists over 39 games with the Rangers, though his season was shortened by a medial collateral ligament sprain. He returned for the OHL playoffs, adding four goals and two assists over 10 playoff games. On 16 April 2013, Faksa was reassigned to the Texas Stars, Dallas’s American Hockey League affiliate, where he recorded his first professional point on 19 April.
Faksa attended the Stars’ 2014 training camp but was assigned to the AHL before the season started. He accumulated four goals and 10 points in 32 games for Texas before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury in mid-January. He recovered over the summer and gained 15 pounds of muscle ahead of the following season.
NHL Breakthrough (2015–2016)
Faksa made his NHL debut on 17 October 2015 against the Florida Panthers, skating on a line with Antoine Roussel and Colton Sceviour. He scored his first career NHL goal on 6 November 2015 in a 4–1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Faksa appeared in 45 games during his rookie NHL season, recording five goals and seven assists. He became a mainstay on the Stars’ third line between Aleš Hemský and Antoine Roussel and was credited as one of the main reasons the Stars remained in playoff contention despite significant injuries to several forwards.
Faksa made his NHL postseason debut in Game 1 of the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Minnesota Wild. He scored his first playoff goal and recorded three hits and one block in the Stars’ 4–0 win. After the Stars eliminated the Wild, they faced the St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference second round. Faksa scored the game-winning goal in Game 1, lifting the Stars to a 2–1 victory. He finished the playoffs with three goals and two assists. At that time, his three goals were the second-most scored by a Dallas Stars rookie in the postseason since 1994.
Dallas Stars Tenure and Growth (2016–2024)
Following the Stars’ playoff elimination, Faksa was chosen to represent the Czech Republic at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Although he suffered a concussion during the tournament, he returned for the Stars’ training camp ahead of the 2016–17 season. Faksa began the season as the Stars’ fourth-line centre but impressed coaching staff with his physical play and earned more ice time. He finished the regular season with a career-high 12 goals and 21 assists for 33 points through 80 games, ranking fourth on the team with 101 hits. As a result of his improved play, Faksa signed a three-year contract extension worth $6.6 million.
In the 2017–18 season, Faksa set a new career-high with 17 goals while matching his previous career-high of 33 total points. On 28 November 2017, he recorded a natural hat trick in the second period during a shutout of the Vegas Golden Knights. It was the first hat trick of his NHL career, the first scored in T-Mobile Arena, and the first time the Golden Knights were shut out in their inaugural season. Faksa was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week following this performance. He was also credited as the Stars’ best defensive forward that season, posting a team-best plus-21 rating.
During the 2018–19 season, Faksa played alongside Valeri Nichushkin and Tyler Pitlick on the Stars’ shutdown line against opposing teams’ best players. As the Stars pushed for the playoffs, Faksa was praised by head coach Jim Montgomery for his consistency in defensive play and scoring. The Stars clinched a postseason berth on 2 April 2019 after beating the Philadelphia Flyers 6–2. They advanced to the Western Conference second round before being eliminated by the St. Louis Blues in double overtime in Game 7. Following the season, Faksa was named to Team Czech Republic for the 2019 IIHF World Championship, where he centred the Czech Republic’s second line and finished with four points as the team fell to Russia in the bronze medal round.
During the 2019–20 season, Faksa briefly opened on the Stars’ first line between Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin due to injuries before being reunited with his typical third-line teammates. Once the Stars were eliminated from the playoffs, it was revealed that Faksa had been playing with a broken wrist. On 11 October 2020, the Stars re-signed Faksa to a five-year, $16.25 million contract extension. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was limited to 56 games. Faksa continued to manage his wrist injury throughout the season and finished with 14 points in 55 games.
St. Louis Blues and Return to Dallas (2024–Present)
On 2 July 2024, Faksa’s nine-season tenure with the Dallas Stars ended when he was traded to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for future considerations. He played one season with the Blues during the 2024–25 campaign. On 1 July 2025, Faksa returned to the Dallas Stars, signing as a free agent to a three-year, $6 million contract.
Playing Style and Strengths
Faksa is regarded as a versatile two-way centre known for his strong defensive play and physical presence on the ice. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 216 pounds, he uses his size effectively in board battles and protecting the puck. Stars coaches have praised him as a big man who can play physical while maintaining a steady presence. He has been utilized in checking-line roles throughout his career, often tasked with shutting down opponents’ top lines. His ability to win faceoffs and his high hockey IQ have made him valuable in various game situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Several milestones stand out in Faksa’s career. His game-winning goal against the St. Louis Blues in the 2016 Western Conference semifinals marked a defining playoff moment. His natural hat trick against the Vegas Golden Knights during their inaugural season was historic, becoming the first hat trick scored in T-Mobile Arena. His 2016 World Cup of Hockey participation represented his senior international debut for the Czech Republic. Re-signing with the Dallas Stars in July 2025 after his brief stint with St. Louis demonstrated his continued value to the organization.
Radek Faksa Career Highlights
Throughout his professional career spanning from 2013 to present, Faksa has accumulated significant achievements across the Ontario Hockey League, American Hockey League, and National Hockey League levels.
OHL and Junior Career Highlights
During his rookie OHL season with the Kitchener Rangers in 2011–12, Faksa led all league rookies with 29 goals and 37 assists for 66 points. His performance earned him a spot on the OHL’s First All-Rookie Team and a nomination for the Emms Family Award. He was also selected to play in the 2012 CHL Top Prospects Game.
NHL Career Highlights
In the NHL, Faksa has developed into a reliable middle-six forward. His most productive offensive season came in 2017–18 when he scored a career-high 17 goals. He scored his first career NHL hat trick against the Vegas Golden Knights on 28 November 2017. Faksa’s playoff performance during the 2016 Stanley Cup run, including a game-winning goal against the St. Louis Blues, showcased his ability to elevate his game in high-pressure situations.
International Competition
Faksa has represented the Czech Republic at multiple international levels, including the 2011 World U18 Championships, the 2012 World Junior Championships, the 2013 World Junior Championships, and the 2016 World Championship. He also participated in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and the 2019 IIHF World Championship.
Radek Faksa Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Radek Faksa was born in Vítkov, Czech Republic, to parents Alena and Jiri Faksa. His mother Alena was a figure skater, providing Faksa with early exposure to ice sports. His uncle was a professional hockey player in the Czech Republic, giving the family established connections in the hockey world. His older brother Martin also played hockey alongside Radek in their early years in Opava.
Personal Life
Faksa is married and has two children, a daughter and a son. His wife has been supportive of his professional career throughout his time in North America. Faksa maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a new chapter in Faksa’s career as he returns to the Dallas Stars organization after one season with the St. Louis Blues. Signing a three-year, $6 million contract on 1 July 2025, Faksa rejoins the team where he spent nine of his first ten NHL seasons. His return provides the Stars with an experienced two-way centre who understands the organization’s culture and systems. At 31 years old, Faksa brings veteran leadership and a proven track record of defensive responsibility to Dallas’s forward corps. The Stars will look to him to provide stability down the middle and contribute to their playoff ambitions as they continue their pursuit of Stanley Cup contention.