Ondrej Palat was born on March 28, 1991. He played his junior hockey for HC Vitkovice in his native Czech Republic before joining the Drumondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior League for two years.
Following his final junior campaign, in which he scored 39 goal in 61 games, Palat was selected in the seventh round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Palat would make his professional debut in the American Hockey League for the Lightning's affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals, in 2011. The Lightning would change AHL affiliates the following season and Palat would join the Syracuse Crunch for start of the 2012-13 season. He would get his first taste of NHL action late in the 2012-13 season, suiting up for 14 games for the Lightning, recording two goals and two assists.
The following season in his rookie year, Palat scored 23 goals and 59 points in 82 games. This got him named to the 2014 All-Rookie Team and was named a finalist for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.
Palat would set a new career-high with 63 points during the 2014-15 season. He would record 16 goals and his 47 assists were also a career-best.
On the international stage, Palat has represented his native Czech Republic four times. This is highlighted by an appearance at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
