Czech-born netminder Milan Hnilicka played a season of Junior hockey in Western Canada after being drafted by the New York Islanders in 1991. He turned professional for the 1993-94 campaign, but it soon became clear that the Islanders did not have him in their plans. When his contract expired Hnilicka decided that in the best interest of his career, he should return to his homeland.

Hnilicka spent two seasons as the starting goaltender for Sparta Praha and his solid play with them was caught the attention of NHL scouts and paved the way for his return to North America. He signed a free agent deal with the New York Rangers.

Though he spent the bulk of the 1999-00 season in the AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack, he did makehis NHL debut that year as well.

The Rangers summoned Hnilicka early in the season when their starter, Mike Richter, was unable to dress. Though Kirk McLean started the game for New York, he soon ran into trouble and Hnilicka came off the bench to relieve him. The Penguins had a field day with the untested rookie by scoring twice in a seven minute span and soon McLean was back in the game. He got his second look at the end of the schedule. With the Rangers out of contention they brought him back up and gave him the start versus the Philadelphia Flyers. This time Hnilicka faired much better by stopping 36 of the 39 shots he faced, though the Rangers ultimately lost the game. In the summer