Ivan Hlinka
Ivan Hlinka | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Born |
Most,Czechoslovakia | January 26, 1950||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Died |
August 16, 2004 Karlovy Vary,Czech Republic | (aged 54)||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Centre | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shot | Left | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Played for |
HC Litvínov EV Zug Vancouver Canucks Dukla Trenčín | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
National team |
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NHL draft | Undrafted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing career | 1966–1987 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Ivan Hlinka(January 26, 1950 – August 16, 2004) was a Czech professionalice hockeyplayer and coach. He is considered to be one of the most important figures in Czech ice hockey history. A bigcentre,his playing style was comparable toPhil Esposito,often scoring with shots from theslot.He played most of his career withHC Litvínovand spent two seasons in theNational Hockey Leaguewith theVancouver Canucks.Internationally, Hlinka played for theCzechoslovakia men's national ice hockey teamand was inducted into theIIHF Hall of Famein 2002. After retiring as a player, he turned to coaching, leading the Czech national team to gold at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano and spending two seasons with thePittsburgh Penguins.His legacy includes theIvan Hlinka Memorial Tournamentfor national under-18 hockey teams, and theIvan Hlinka Stadion.
Playing career
[edit]Hlinka began to play ice hockey at a young age. When he was six years old, he was playingHC Litvínov's youth team. He played inCzechoslovak leaguefor the first time when he was 16.[citation needed]
At age 20, he became a captain of Litvínov's men's team and played in theCzechoslovak national teamfor the first time. He played 256 games as a member of the Czechoslovak national team and scored 132 goals in international games. He also played in 544 games in the Czechoslovak league and scored 347 times. Hlinka was named theGolden Hockey Stickwinner as the country's top player in 1978.[citation needed]
Hlinka helped the Czechoslovak team to winworld titlesin 1972, 1976, and 1977. As a member of the Czechoslovak team, he won an Olympic bronze medal in1972and a silver medal in1976.[1]
Hlinka played in the inauguralCanada Cup tournament in 1976,the international tournament in which the best available players competed for their countries (most notably, players from theNational Hockey League). Canada defeated Czechoslovakia in the best-of-three final two games to nothing, with scores of 6–0 and 5–4. The following year, he was named the national team's captain, a position he held from 1977 to 1980.[citation needed]
In 1981, Hlinka and fellow CzechJiří Bublajoined the NHL'sVancouver Canucks.This started the Czech migration to the NHL. They were the first Czechoslovak players to compete in the NHL with the permission of their country's authorities. (Jaroslav Jiříkplayed legally in the NHL in the1969–70 season,but only in three games.)[2]Playing in his first NHL season, Hlinka set a Canucks record for the most points by a rookie with 60 (later matched byPavel Burein1991–92).[3]During the subsequent1982 Stanley Cup playoffs,the Canucks advanced to theFinalsagainst theNew York Islanders.In a losing effort (Vancouver lost the series in four straight games), Hlinka became the first Czech to ever play in the Stanley Cup Finals (Bubla did not play in them). The following season, Hlinka improved to 63 points over 65 games. In his two years in the NHL, Hlinka totalled 42 goals and assisted on 81 others in 137 games.[citation needed]
Hlinka returned to Europe to finish his playing career due to problems with his back in 1983. He played in the Swiss teamEV Zuguntil 1985, when he returned to Litvínov where he started his coaching career.[citation needed]
Coaching career
[edit]After his return to Czechoslovakia, Hlinka began to coach in "his" HC Litvínov. Later, he coached temporarily inFreiburg,Germany.[citation needed]
Hlinka also became very famous for his trick in the 1986–87 season. Litvínov was in last place in the standings of the Czechoslovak league. Hlinka, already 37 years old, began to play again. Litvínov immediately improved its game and went unbeaten in Hlinka's first eight games (six wins and two ties). Altogether, he played 19 games and scored 23 points.[citation needed]
In the 1990s, Hlinka was head coach ofCzechoslovakand laterCzech national teams.His teams won bronze medals at theAlbertville Olympicsand theWorld Championshipsin 1992 and 1993. He left the national team after an unsuccessful World Championship in 1994.[citation needed]
Hlinka returned in 1997 and his team won the bronze medal at the World Championship again. Hlinka became a national hero when his team won the gold medal at theNagano Olympics;the first time that the NHL agreed to release its players for the Games. The triumph was celebrated by the whole nation. The dominance of theCzech hockey teamin the world was confirmed in May 1999 when Hlinka's team won theWorld Championship again.[citation needed]
In2000–01,Hlinka returned to the NHL as head coach of thePittsburgh Penguins.He andAlpo Suhonenbecame the second and third Europeans to ever coach in the NHL, followingJohnny Gottselig.His first season also coincided withMario Lemieux's return to the NHL, and together they made a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals, knocking off the higher-seededWashington CapitalsandBuffalo Sabresalong the way before falling to theNew Jersey Devils.The next season was not successful, as the struggling small-market Penguins had traded their superstar,Jaromír Jágr.Hlinka himself was criticized by Lemieux for not taking classes in the summer to improve his English and that contributed to the frosty relationship between them. After losing the first four games of the2001–02 season,Hlinka was fired and he returned to Europe.[citation needed]
In 2001–02, he worked as general manager of the Czech national team, and in 2002–03, he coached the Russian teamAvangard Omskfor one season.[citation needed]
Coaching record
[edit]- World Championships:1 gold (1999), 4 bronzes (1992, 1993, 1997, 1998).[citation needed]
- Olympics: gold (1998), bronze (1992).[citation needed]
Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | Finish | Result | ||
PIT | 2000–01 | 82 | 42 | 28 | 9 | 3 | 96 | 3rd inAtlantic | Lost in Conference Finals (NJD) |
PIT | 2001–02 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | (69) | (fired) | — |
Total | 86 | 42 | 32 | 9 | 3 |
Death
[edit]Hlinka was supposed to be once again head coach of the Czech national team in the 2004–05 season. However, he died on August 16, 2004, at age 54 when his carcollidedhead-on with aDaewoo Aviatruck driving the wrong way on theE48highway 200 yards from the town ofKarlovy Vary,Czech Republic.[4][5][6][7]He had gone to Karlovy Vary to ensure that Jaromír Jágr would participate in the2004 World Cup of Hockey.[8][9]The truck suddenly appeared in Hlinka's lane.[10]The truck driver claimed that he had to avoid a collision with an animal. More likely (the court was inclined to believe this), he turned from the main road and made a left at an intersection where it was prohibited. Hlinka was not using asafety belt,but according to experts, it would not have prevented his death.[citation needed]
Honors and awards
[edit]- Czechoslovak player of the year (1977–78)[citation needed]
- All-star centre at the 1978 IIHF World Championship[citation needed]
- Inducted to theIIHF Hall of Fame(2002)[11][12]
- Czech Ice Hockey Legend (2004)[citation needed]
- Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournamentfor national U18 ice hockey teams named after him[citation needed]
- Ivan Hlinka Stadion,arena ofHC Litvínovis named after him[citation needed]
Career statistics
[edit]Regular season and playoffs
[edit]Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
1966–67 | TJ CHZ Litvínov | TCH | 14 | 4 | 0 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1967–68 | TJ CHZ Litvínov | TCH | 32 | 15 | 14 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1968–69 | TJ CHZ Litvínov | TCH | 36 | 21 | 17 | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1969–70 | TJ CHZ Litvínov | TCH | 33 | 17 | 17 | 34 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1970–71 | TJ CHZ Litvínov | TCH | 36 | 20 | 18 | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1971–72 | TJ CHZ Litvínov | TCH | 36 | 31 | 23 | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1972–73 | TJ CHZ Litvínov | TCH | 36 | 24 | 11 | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1973–74 | TJ CHZ Litvínov | TCH | 42 | 27 | 27 | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1974–75 | TJ CHZ Litvínov | TCH | 44 | 36 | 42 | 78 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1975–76 | TJ CHZ Litvínov | TCH | 30 | 25 | 18 | 43 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1976–77 | TJ CHZ Litvínov | TCH | 43 | 39 | 23 | 62 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1977–78 | TJ CHZ Litvínov | TCH | 43 | 32 | 39 | 71 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1978–79 | TJ CHZ Litvínov | TCH | 23 | 15 | 17 | 32 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1978–79 | ASVŠ Dukla Trenčín | TCH | 8 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1979–80 | TJ CHZ Litvínov | TCH | 33 | 14 | 16 | 30 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1980–81 | TJ CHZ Litvínov | TCH | 40 | 21 | 31 | 52 | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1981–82 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 72 | 23 | 37 | 60 | 16 | 12 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 4 | ||
1982–83 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 65 | 19 | 44 | 63 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 | ||
1983–84 | EV Zug | CHE II | 41 | 46 | 43 | 89 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1984–85 | EV Zug | CHE II | 39 | 30 | 43 | 73 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1986–87 | TJ CHZ Litvínov | TCH | 9 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
TCH totals | 532 | 346 | 325 | 671 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
NHL totals | 137 | 42 | 81 | 123 | 28 | 16 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 8 |
International
[edit]Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1970 | Czechoslovakia | WC | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
1971 | Czechoslovakia | WC | 10 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 | |
1972 | Czechoslovakia | OLY | 6 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 2 | |
1972 | Czechoslovakia | WC | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | |
1973 | Czechoslovakia | WC | 8 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
1974 | Czechoslovakia | WC | 10 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 2 | |
1975 | Czechoslovakia | WC | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | |
1976 | Czechoslovakia | OLY | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 7 | |
1976 | Czechoslovakia | WC | 10 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 4 | |
1976 | Czechoslovakia | CC | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 12 | |
1977 | Czechoslovakia | WC | 10 | 9 | 3 | 12 | 5 | |
1978 | Czechoslovakia | WC | 10 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 4 | |
1979 | Czechoslovakia | WC | 8 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 6 | |
1981 | Czechoslovakia | WC | 8 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
Senior totals | 107 | 52 | 51 | 103 | 48 |
References
[edit]- ^Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen;Mallon, Bill;et al."Ivan Hlinka".Olympics at Sports-Reference.com.Sports Reference LLC.Archived fromthe originalon December 4, 2016.
- ^International Hockey Legends: Jaroslav Jirik
- ^Sportak, Randy (August 17, 2004)."Crash claims Czech coach".Calgary Sun.Archived from the original on July 19, 2012.RetrievedDecember 24,2011.
{{cite news}}
:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^Trenér Hlinka zemřel po autonehoděiDNES.cz, August 16, 2004
- ^Former Penguins Coach Hlinka Dies After Car AccidentWashington Post, August 17, 2004
- ^Former NHLer Hlinka killed in crashCBC Sports, August 17, 2004
- ^Ivan Hlinka, 54, Czech Coach Of Gold Medal Hockey TeamNew York Times, August 17, 2004
- ^Ivan Hlinka: Czech ice hockey idol who took revenge on the Soviet UnionThe Guardian, August 24, 2004
- ^Coach made the Czech team a hockey powerGlobe and Mail, August 17, 2004
- ^Tréner českých hokejistov Ivan Hlinka zomrel pri autonehodePravda, August 16, 2004
- ^"Hlinka in international hall".The News & Observer.Raleigh, North Carolina. March 14, 2002. p. C3.RetrievedJune 25,2023.
- ^"Eight new IIHF Hall of Famers will be celebrated in Goteborg".International Ice Hockey Federation.2002. Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2007.RetrievedNovember 8,2007.
External links
[edit]- Biographical information and career statistics fromNHL.com,orEliteprospects.com,orEurohockey.com,orHockey-Reference.com,orThe Internet Hockey Database
- Ivan HlinkaatFind a Grave
- Hockey History: Ivan Hlinka
- Ivan HlinkaatOlympijskytym.cz(in Czech)
- Ivan Hlinkaat Olympic.cz(in Czech)(archived)
- Ivan HlinkaatOlympics.com
- Ivan HlinkaatOlympedia
- 1950 births
- 2004 deaths
- Competitors at the 1970 Winter Universiade
- Czech ice hockey centres
- Czech ice hockey coaches
- Czech Republic men's national ice hockey team coaches
- Czechoslovak expatriate ice hockey people
- Czechoslovak expatriate sportspeople in Canada
- Czechoslovak expatriate sportspeople in Switzerland
- Czechoslovak ice hockey centres
- Czechoslovakia men's national ice hockey team coaches
- EV Zug players
- FISU World University Games gold medalists for Czechoslovakia
- HC Litvínov players
- Ice hockey people from Most (city)
- Ice hockey players at the 1972 Winter Olympics
- Ice hockey players at the 1976 Winter Olympics
- IIHF Hall of Fame inductees
- Medalists at the 1972 Winter Olympics
- Medalists at the 1976 Winter Olympics
- Olympic bronze medalists for Czechoslovakia
- Olympic gold medalists for Czechoslovakia
- Olympic ice hockey players for Czechoslovakia
- Olympic medalists in ice hockey
- Olympic silver medalists for Czechoslovakia
- Pittsburgh Penguins coaches
- Recipients of Medal of Merit (Czech Republic)
- Road incident deaths in the Czech Republic
- Undrafted National Hockey League players
- Vancouver Canucks players
- Winter World University Games medalists in ice hockey