David Pastrňák (Czech pronunciation: [ˈdavɪt ˈpastr̩ɲaːk]; born 25 May 1996) is a Czech professional ice hockey right winger for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed "Pasta" by Bruins fans, he was selected by the Bruins in the first round, 25th overall, of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Pastrňák's father, Milan, wanted him to play ice hockey. Following a lengthy battle with cancer, Milan died in 2013. Pastrňák cites this as the reason why he began practicing and training so hard, hoping to make it as a hockey player for his father.
Pastrňák has represented the Czech Republic's national teams at every level and has led his team in scoring numerous times. He won bronze at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and in 2014 he won silver at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships. In 2016, he joined the Czech Republic national team for the first time at the 2016 IIHF World Championship where the team finished fifth. He also represented the Czech Republic at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Following the Bruins' defeat by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Second Round of the 2018 playoffs, Pastrňák was invited to participate at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.
Pastrňák's son with his girlfriend, Rebecca Rohlsson, named Viggo Rohl Pastrňák, was born on June 17, 2021 and died from unknown causes six days later, on June 23, 2021.
