Michal Pivoňka (born January 28, 1966 in Kladno, Czechoslovakia) is a retired National Hockey League player. He played his entire NHL career with the Washington Capitals. Selected by the Capitals in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, Pivonka defected to the United States during the summer of 1986. Since Eastern Europe was still behind the Iron Curtain, it was still difficult for younger hockey players from the Eastern Bloc to play in the NHL. Pivonka retired after several injury filled seasons.