Novak last played for Traktor Chelyabinsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Novák played junior hockey with HC Budejovice in his native Czech Republic and with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League before he was drafted by the New York Rangers in the second round (64th overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

On March 8, 2002, he was part of a blockbuster trade that sent Novák, Igor Ulanov, a first-round selection in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft (later traded to Calgary Flames - Eric Nystrom), a second-round selection in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft (Rob Globke) and a fourth-round selection in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft to the Florida Panthers for Pavel Bure and a second-round selection in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft (Lee Falardeau).

Nearing the end of the season, he sustained a serious injury that kept him off the ice until late 2004, when he played with the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League.

On August 8, 2006, Novák signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets as an unrestricted free agent.