CAREER NOTES: Split the 2008-09 season between Minnesota (NHL) and Houston (AHL)… Appeared in his first NHL game on Jan. 30, 2009 at Edmonton… Scored his first NHL goal on Feb. 22, 2009 at Chicago… Represented Slovakia at the 2009 World Championships in Switzerland, posting an assist in five games… Ranked third on Houston in goals (17) in 2007-08… Led the 2007-08 Aeros in power-play goals (9) and ranked fifth in points (33)… Tied for fifth on Houston in goals (12) during the 2006-07 season… Played for Slovakia at the 2005 World Junior Championships… Tied for the Slovak team lead in goals (3) and tied for third in points (4) in six games at the 2005 World Junior Championships… Also tied for third on the club in penalty minutes (16) for the tournament… Played the majority of the 2004-05 campaign with HK Dukla Trencin alongside NHLers Marian Gaborik and Pavol Demitra… Ranked third on Trencin’s junior club in assists (20), and fourth in both goals (16) and points (36) in 2003-04… Ranked second on the 2003-04 Trencin Juniors in plus/minus rating (+46) and penalty minutes (74)… Originally Minnesota’s third choice (third round, 78^th overall) in the 2004 Entry Draft.