Pilař made his North American hockey debut during the 2001–02 NHL season, playing 52 games for the St. John\'s Maple Leafs of the AHL and earning himself a promotion to their parent club, the Toronto Maple Leafs, for the remainder of the season.\n', '

The following season, Karel\'s career was jeopardized when a viral infection attacked his heart and sidelined him on two occasions. However, he fought back from his illness to play in 50 games for Toronto in the 2003–04 NHL season.\n', '

With the NHL season canceled in 2004–05, Pilař returned home to play in his home town for HC Sparta Praha, scoring a career high of 13 goals and helping his club win the Czech Extraliga title.\n', '

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