Ivan Hlinka dead

[franko]

Ivan Hlinka, who was instrumental in building the Czech hockey team into a world power after his playing days were over, died Monday of injuries suffered in a car crash. He was 54.

Hlinka's car collided with a truck Sunday night. He had gone to the spa town of Karlovy Vary, about 110 kilometres west of Prague, to meet with Jaromir Jagr, who assured Hlinka he'd report to the Czech team Hlinka was to coach during the World Cup of Hockey, Aug. 30-Sept. 14.

Now, instead of reporting for the start of a training camp, players will be attending Hlinka's funeral.

full story

[blny]

That's two Penguins coaches to die in car accidents (Brooks). I see Vladimir Ruzicka (Rosie) is going to coach the Czech WC team in his place. I recall the NESN guys calling his name back in the early nineties. Funny stuff. The molded skates were classic too. Rosie even wore them in the 1998 Olympics.

[Deleted]

Geez. That's way too many hockey-related deaths within the past couple of years.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Thousands mourn the loss of Hlinka

Associated Press
Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - Page S12

PRAGUE -- Thousands lined up yesterday to pay tribute to Ivan Hlinka, a legendary hockey player and coach who died last week in a car crash at age 54.

Relatives, members of the Czech national team he coached and hundreds of other guests and officials packed the Zofin Palace to mourn the national hero. Public visitation followed.

Hlinka, a former Pittsburgh Penguins coach who led the Czech Republic to a gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, died Aug. 16 after his car collided with a truck near Karlovy Vary, about 100 kilometres west of Prague.

Hlinka was a player on former Czechoslovakia's national team during the 1970s and 1980s and helped the Czechs win world championships in 1972, 1976 and 1977. He was also on the team that won bronze at the 1972 Olympics in Sapporo, Japan, and silver at the 1976 Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.

He played two seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks from 1981 to 1983.