Ivan Hlinka

Ivan Hlinka (born the January 26th 1950 with Most in Czechoslovakia - died the August 16th 2004) was a player of professional Hockey and trainer, one of the most important faces of the hockey Czech.

Career of player

Ivan Hlinka was one of the best hockey players of the history of the Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. It was a large player of center to the play comparable with that of Phil Esposito, which often marked while drawing from the enclave.

Hlinka began its very young career. At 6 years only, it formed already part of the junior team of HC Litvínov. It started to only play with the senior team at 16 years. At 20 years, he became captain of Litvínov and covered for the first time the shirt of the Équipe of Czechoslovakia of hockey. He played 256 matches for the national team, marking 132 goals; he counted of them 347 in 544 matches in the Championnat of Czechoslovakia of hockey. He gained the Crosse of Gold in 1978.

He helped the Czechoslovakian team to gain the championships of the world in 1972, 1976 and 1977; he also gained Olympique bronze with the Winter Olympics of 1972 and the money with the Winter Olympics of 1976.

He took share with the inaugural tournament of the Coupe Canada in 1976. The Canada beat accuracy Czechoslovakia at the time of the finale, thanks to a goal in prolongation of Darryl Sittler and Hlinka conquered the title of better tackling tournament. He was captain of the national team of 1977 with 1980.

In 1981, Hlinka and its compatriot Jiří Bubla united with the Canucks of Vancouver. There there remained only two seasons, but were success, marking 42 times and carrying out 81 master keys for 123 points in 137 matches. They were the first Czechs to take share with the finale of the Coupe Stanley; they were also the first men of Czechoslovakia Communiste to be played legally in the LNH, with the permission of the Czechoslovakian authorities.

Hlinka turned over in Europe to finish its career because of problems of back. It spent 2 seasons with EV Zoug of LNA, then turned over to Litvínov, where it undertook its career of trainer.

Career of trainer

After its return in Czechoslovakia, Ivan Hlinka started to involve Litvínov. It became very famous for its small trick of 1986-87. Litvínov stagnated in the last place of the Czechoslovakian Championship. Hlinka, which was then 37 years old, fitted the shoes again. Litvínov improved instantaneously and does not undergo a defeat during its 8 first matches (6 victories and 2 null). Hlinka played 19 matches and marked 23 points.

In 1990, he becomes trainer of the Czechoslovakian team, then later of the Czech team. It gained bronze with the Olympic Games of Albertville and with the Championnat of the world of hockey of 1992 and 1993. It left the team after an unfruitful championship in 1994.

It returned in force in 1997, gaining bronze again - he became national hero the following year by gaining gold with the Olympic Games of Nagano. The triumph was celebrated by a whole nation which had not forgotten it. The Czech domination on the international scene was confirmed the following season when Tchéquie gained the championship of the world.

Season LNH 2000-01, Ivan Hlinka crosses again the Atlantique, this time to come to involve the Penguins de Pittsburgh, becoming thus the first European trainer to involve in the LNH (with Alpo Suhonen). Its North-American career was however not crowned success, and Hlinka took again the way of Europe in 2001. He was managing director of the Czech national team thereafter, then involved the Avangard Omsk for one season.

Death

Hlinka dies the August 16th 2004 at 54 years close to Karlovy Vary in Czech Republic when its car entered in collision with a truck, whereas it led approximately 20 km/h more quickly than the allowed limit (of 90 km/h). The truck appeared suddenly in its way. Although its driver claimed to have tried to avoid an animal, the court was more inclines to believe that it had tried to turn left to an intersection where it did not have the right to do it. Hlinka was not attached; however, the experts declared that its belt would not have saved it.

Achievements and price

Stick of Gold - 1978
Established with the temple of famous the of the International federation of hockey - 2002
Legend of the hockey Czech - 2004

Records

Holds the record for the most points in one season for a recruit at Canucks (60); divide the record with Pavel Bure.

See too

References

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