He began his career, playing 83 regular season games with HC Dukla Jihlava of the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League. He was drafted 35th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche in the 1995–96 NHL season, playing 2 games with them before being sent back down to play for their AHL-affiliate, the Hershey Bears.