Ivan Hlinka (born January 26, 1950 in Most, Czech Republic - died August 16th, 2004 in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic) was a professional ice hockey player and coach. He was one of the most important figures in Czech ice hockey.
Hlinka was killed when his car collided head-first with a truck that reportedly had failed brakes.
Playing career
Ivan Hlinka was one of the greatest hockey players in Czechoslovak and Czech history. He was a big center and played a similar style as Phil Esposito, slamming in shots from the slot.
He played for the Czechoslovakian team and helped them win world titles in 1972, 1976 and 1977. As a member of the Czechoslovakian team he won an Olympic bronze medal in 1972 and a silver medal in 1976.
He played in the inaugural Canada Cup tournament in 1976 playing against NHL superstars like Esposito and Guy Lafleur. Canada edged out Czechoslovakia 5-4 in the title game when Darryl Sittler scored in overtime. Hlinka was named the top forward of that tournament.
He played 256 games as a member of the Czechoslovakian national team and scored 132 goals in international games.
In 1981, Hlinka and fellow Czech Jiri Bubla joined the NHL's Vancouver Canucks. This started the Czech migration to the NHL. In his two years in the NHL, Hlinka scored 42 goals and assisted on 81 others in 137 games.
Hlinka returned to Europe to finish his playing career.
Coaching career
He was the first European ever to coach in the NHL.
Awards
- Czechoslovakian Player of the Year. (1977-78)
- Inducted to the IIHF Hall of Fame. (2002)
- Czech Ice Hockey Legend. (2004)
Records
Vancouver Canucks team record for most points by a rookie (60). - Tied with Pavel Bure
Career playing statistics
Career coaching statistics
Quotes about Hlinka
"It's not that he was just a coach, but he was sort of like Herb Brooks was for America." - Tomas Vokoun
"Ivan Hlinka was a tremendous ambassador for the game of hockey." - Craig Patrick, general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins
"He was a real high-quality player. He probably never got the billing over here he should have. You look back on his hockey career on both sides of the pond and he had quite a resume." - Tiger Williams
External link
Last updated: 09-02-2005 12:27:32
