Stastnys remain an inspiration

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Today, Europeans are everywhere in the NHL, chasing scoring titles, captaining teams and living in the NHL spotlight.

For many of those players, the trailblazing careers of Slovakia's Stastny brothers are the genesis for the success they enjoy today.

Peter and Anton Stastny fled communist-controlled Czechoslovakia in 1980 to join the fledgling Quebec Nordiques -- predecessor to today's Colorado Avalanche.

- www.nhl.com/intheslot/read/impact/april/euro_bros.html

[blny]

I can remember the days when the brothers 3 played together. I can remember Peter recanting the story of their defection. All three were great players, Peter in particular. Very few combos were as deadly in the 80's as Statsny an Goo.