He was drafted 7th overall by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. On May 30, 1991, the San Jose Sharks claimed Zmolek from Minnesota in the dispersal draft. Zmolek played 2 seasons with the Sharks before he was traded along with Mike Lalor to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Ulf Dahlén and Dallas' 7th round choice in 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He spent parts of two seasons with the Stars.