Former NHL player Boris Valábik recently delighted his daughter, Viktoria, with a special Christmas surprise. On December 6th,2024,he transformed into Santa Claus,creating an unforgettable experience for his three-year-old. Valábik, a native of nitra, shared a photo of himself in costume on his social media, playfully noting that Santa took his role very seriously this year.
Valábik’s hockey career spanned various leagues,including stints in North America,the Czech Republic,Kazakhstan,Great britain,and Austria. He played 80 games in the NHL for the Atlanta Thrashers, recording seven assists. After retiring from professional hockey, he joined the Slovak Police Force before transitioning into a media career. He became a familiar face on RTVS, serving as an expert commentator and appearing on the popular travel show “S úsmevom po Slovensku.”
Valábik and his former teammate, Marián Gáborík, launched the prosperous podcast “Boris&Brambor,” which even aired on public television for a period.He further showcased his versatility by competing in the dance competition “Let’s Dance” and currently serves as a sports news anchor for TV JOJ.
Beyond his professional achievements, Valábik is a devoted father. He and his wife, Lucka, welcomed their daughter, Viktoria, in Febuary 2021. The couple recently announced they are expecting their second child, a son, in February 2025. Interestingly, both Valábik and Gáborík were born in February, sharing the same birthday on February 14th.
From Ice to Airwaves: A Conversation with Former NHLer Boris Valábik
welcome back sports fans! today we have a truly unique guest, a man who’s traversed the world of professional hockey and found a new arena in the world of media. Please join me in welcoming the former NHL defenseman, boris Valábik!
Boris, thanks for joining us. It truly seems like you’ve been keeping quite busy as hanging up your skates. Your journey – from the NHL to the Slovak Police Force to becoming a media personality – is inspiring. what initially sparked your passion for transitioning into a media career?
Boris Valábik: Thanks for having me. It’s great to be here. Honestly, I always enjoyed being around people and sharing my experiences. During my playing days, I often found myself engaging with fans and reporters, and I realized I had a knack for communicating.
After retiring, I felt like I wanted to stay connected to the world of sports and share my insights.Joining RTVS and later TV JOJ allowed me to do just that. It’s been an incredible journey, constantly learning and growing in this new field.
Moderator: I can definitely see that passion shining through, especially in your podcast “Boris&Brambor” with your old teammate Marián Gáborík. It’s not every day you see former athletes launch a podcast that becomes so popular it even airs on public television. what’s the secret sauce behind the podcast’s success?
Boris Valábik: (laughs) I think it boils down to authenticity and friendship. Marián and I have been close for years,and our chemistry translates well on air. We’re not afraid to be ourselves, share our experiences, and have open, sometimes even humorous, discussions about hockey and life in general.
We truly value our listeners and try to create a space where they feel like they’re part of the conversation.
Moderator: Speaking of conversations, let’s talk about your recent Santa Claus conversion for your daughter Viktoria. The photo you shared on social media was heartwarming, and it’s clear you’re a devoted dad. how do you balance your busy media career with being a hands-on father?
Boris Valábik: It definitely requires juggling, but my family is my top priority.
Lucka, my wife, is an incredible support system, and we make it a point to spend quality time together as a family whenever possible. Seeing Viktoria’s face light up at Christmas reminds me that these moments with my loved ones are priceless.
Moderator: That’s fantastic to hear.
But let’s get back to hockey for a moment. You played in the NHL for the Atlanta Thrashers, navigating the high-pressure surroundings of professional sports. Looking back, what was the biggest lesson you learned during your time in the NHL?
Boris Valábik: Persistence and resilience are key.
The NHL is incredibly competitive,and setbacks are inevitable. You need to be able to bounce back from mistakes, stay focused on your goals, and never give up. Those lessons not only helped me on the ice, but they’ve also proven invaluable in my post-hockey life.
Moderator: That’s something any aspiring athlete, or frankly, anyone striving for success in any field, can take inspiration from.
Now, Boris, to spark some debate among our readers, let’s talk about your teammate Marián Gáborík sharing the same birthday as you, February 14th. Does the shared birthday create any pleasant rivalry or unique camaraderie?
Boris Valábik: (chuckles) You know, it’s funny how fate works. We’ve always joked about being “twin brothers” born on Valentine’s Day. It definitely strengthens our bond and adds a bit of fun to our friendship.
Maybe it even explains our chemistry on and off the ice!
Moderator: Fantastic! That’s a great ending note, thanks for sharing. Now, for our readers, what are your thoughts on Boris’s journey from the ice to the media? Share your opinions, memories of him as a player, or maybe even your own Valentine’s Day birthday stories in the comments below.Let’s keep the conversation going!
