Ivan Hlinka
Encyclopedia
Ivan Hlinka was a Czech professional ice hockey
player and coach. He was one of the most important figures in Czech ice hockey.
, often scoring using shots from the slot.
Hlinka began to play ice hockey at a very young age. When he was six years old, he was already playing in a youth team in Litvínov. He played in Czechoslovak league
for the first time when he was 16.
At the age of 20, he became a captain of Litvínov team and played in the Czechoslovak national team
for 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 Czechoslovak league and scored 347 times. Hlinka was named the Golden Hockey Stick winner as top player in Czechoslovakia in 1978.
Hlinka helped the Czechoslovak team to win world titles
in 1972, 1976, and 1977. As a member of the Czechoslovak 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. Canada defeated Czechoslovakia in the best-of-three final two games to nothing, with scores of 6–0 and 5–4, Darryl Sittler
scoring in overtime in the second game.
He was a captain of the national team in 1977–1980.
In 1981, Hlinka and fellow Czech Jiří 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. They were the first Czechs who played in the Stanley Cup
finals. They were also the first men from communist Czechoslovakia who played in NHL with the permission of Czechoslovak authorities. (Jaroslav Jiřík
played legally in NHL in 1969–70 season but only three games.)
Hlinka returned to Europe to finish his playing career due to problems with his back in 1983. He played in Swiss
team EV Zug
until 1985, when he returned to Litvínov where he started his coaching career.
, Germany.
He also became very famous for his trick in the 1986–87 season. Litvínov was in the last place in the table of the Czechoslovak league. Hlinka, already 37 years old, began to play again. Litvínov immediately improved its game and during Hlinka's first games did not lose (6 wins, 2 ties). Altogether, he played in 19 games and got 23 points (5+18).
In the 1990s, he was a coach of Czechoslovak
and later Czech national teams
. His teams won bronze medals at the Albertville Olympics
and the World Championships
in 1992 and 1993. He left the national team after unsuccessful World Championship in 1994.
He came back in 1997 and his team won bronze medals at the World Championship again. Hlinka became a national hero when his team won gold medals at the Nagano Olympics
; the first time that the NHL agreed to release its players for the Games. The triumph was celebrated by a whole nation which did not forget him. The dominance of the Czech ice-hockey in the world was confirmed one year later when Hlinka's team won the World Championship.
In 2000–01, Hlinka returned to the NHL as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins
He was the second European ever to coach in the NHL (following Alpo Suhonen
). His first season also coincided with Mario Lemieux
's return to the NHL, and together they made a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals, knocking off the higher seeded Washington Capitals
and Buffalo Sabres
along the way before falling to the New Jersey Devils
. The next season was not successful, as the struggling small-market Penguins had traded their superstar, Jaromir Jagr
. 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. He was fired four games into the 2001–02 season and returned to Europe.
In 2001–02, he worked as a general manager of Czech national team and in 2002, he became a coach of Russia
n team Avangard Omsk
for one season.
, Czech Republic, when his car collided
with a truck while driving above the speed limit
(about 110 km/h, speed limit is 90 km/h). The truck suddenly appeared in his lane. Its driver claims 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 a crossing where it was prohibited. Hlinka was not using a safety belt. According to experts, the safety belt would not have helped him.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player and coach. He was one of the most important figures in Czech ice hockey.
Playing career
Hlinka was one of the greatest hockey players in Czechoslovak and Czech history. He was a big center and played a similar style to Phil EspositoPhil Esposito
Philip Anthony Esposito, OC is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and is considered to be one of the best to have...
, often scoring using shots from the slot.
Hlinka began to play ice hockey at a very young age. When he was six years old, he was already playing in a youth team in Litvínov. He played in Czechoslovak league
Czechoslovak Extraliga
The Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League was the elite ice hockey league in Czechoslovakia from 1930 until 1993, when the country split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Slovak Extraliga and Czech Extraliga formed from the split.-See also:...
for the first time when he was 16.
At the age of 20, he became a captain of Litvínov team and played in the Czechoslovak national team
Czechoslovak national ice hockey team
The Czechoslovak national men's ice hockey team was one of the world's premiere teams during the Soviet dominated international hockey era, often fighting Sweden for second place but sometimes beating the Soviets...
for 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 Czechoslovak league and scored 347 times. Hlinka was named the Golden Hockey Stick winner as top player in Czechoslovakia in 1978.
Hlinka helped the Czechoslovak team to win world titles
Ice Hockey World Championships
The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
in 1972, 1976, and 1977. As a member of the Czechoslovak team he won an Olympic bronze medal in 1972
1972 Winter Olympics
The 1972 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from February 3 to February 13, 1972 in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan...
and a silver medal in 1976
1976 Winter Olympics
The 1976 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XII Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated February 4–15, 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria...
.
He played in the inaugural Canada Cup tournament in 1976, playing against NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
superstars. Canada defeated Czechoslovakia in the best-of-three final two games to nothing, with scores of 6–0 and 5–4, Darryl Sittler
Darryl Sittler
Darryl Glen Sittler is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League from 1970 until 1985 for the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Detroit Red Wings. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1989.On February 7, 1976, Sittler set an NHL...
scoring in overtime in the second game.
He was a captain of the national team in 1977–1980.
In 1981, Hlinka and fellow Czech Jiří Bubla
Jirí Bubla
Jiří Bubla is a retired Czech ice hockey defenceman.Bubla played his entire National Hockey League career with the Vancouver Canucks, beginning in 1982. He retired after the 1985–86 season...
joined the NHL's
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
. 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. They were the first Czechs who played in the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
finals. They were also the first men from communist Czechoslovakia who played in NHL with the permission of Czechoslovak authorities. (Jaroslav Jiřík
Jaroslav Jirík
Jaroslav Jiřík was a Czech former professional ice hockey right winger. He became the first player that an Eastern Bloc country released to play in the National Hockey League when he appeared in three games with the St. Louis Blues in the 1969–70 season.Jiřík played seventeen seasons in the...
played legally in NHL in 1969–70 season but only three games.)
Hlinka returned to Europe to finish his playing career due to problems with his back in 1983. He played in Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
team EV Zug
EV Zug
EV Zug is a professional men's ice hockey team from Zug, Switzerland. They are a current member of National League A and play their home games at Bossard Arena.-History:EV Zug won its lone championship in the 1997–98 season....
until 1985, when he returned to Litvínov where he started his coaching career.
Coaching career
After his return to Czechoslovakia, Hlinka began to coach in “his” Litvínov; later he coached temporarily in FreiburgFreiburg
Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In the extreme south-west of the country, it straddles the Dreisam river, at the foot of the Schlossberg. Historically, the city has acted as the hub of the Breisgau region on the western edge of the Black Forest in the Upper Rhine Plain...
, Germany.
He also became very famous for his trick in the 1986–87 season. Litvínov was in the last place in the table of the Czechoslovak league. Hlinka, already 37 years old, began to play again. Litvínov immediately improved its game and during Hlinka's first games did not lose (6 wins, 2 ties). Altogether, he played in 19 games and got 23 points (5+18).
In the 1990s, he was a coach of Czechoslovak
Czechoslovak national ice hockey team
The Czechoslovak national men's ice hockey team was one of the world's premiere teams during the Soviet dominated international hockey era, often fighting Sweden for second place but sometimes beating the Soviets...
and later Czech national teams
Czech national ice hockey team
The Czech men's national ice hockey team is the national ice hockey team of the Czech Republic. It is one of the most successful national ice hockey teams in the world, currently ranked fifth by the IIHF, behind Finland. It is controlled by the Czech Ice Hockey Association...
. His teams won bronze medals at the Albertville Olympics
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
and the World Championships
Ice Hockey World Championships
The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
in 1992 and 1993. He left the national team after unsuccessful World Championship in 1994.
He came back in 1997 and his team won bronze medals at the World Championship again. Hlinka became a national hero when his team won gold medals at the Nagano Olympics
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
; the first time that the NHL agreed to release its players for the Games. The triumph was celebrated by a whole nation which did not forget him. The dominance of the Czech ice-hockey in the world was confirmed one year later when Hlinka's team won the World Championship.
In 2000–01, Hlinka returned to the NHL as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
He was the second European ever to coach in the NHL (following Alpo Suhonen
Alpo Suhonen
Alpo Suhonen was the first European-born NHL head coach in 50 years when he took over the Chicago Blackhawks on 22 May 2000.- Coaching career :...
). His first season also coincided with Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
's return to the NHL, and together they made a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals, knocking off the higher seeded Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
and Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
along the way before falling to the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. The next season was not successful, as the struggling small-market Penguins had traded their superstar, Jaromir Jagr
Jaromir Jagr
Jaromír Jágr is a Czech professional ice hockey right winger who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Jágr formerly played with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers, serving as captain of the Penguins and the Rangers...
. 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. He was fired four games into the 2001–02 season and returned to Europe.
In 2001–02, he worked as a general manager of Czech national team and in 2002, he became a coach of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n team Avangard Omsk
Avangard Omsk
Avangard Omsk are a professional ice hockey team from Siberia based in the city of Omsk, Russia. They are members of the Chernyshev Division of the Kontinental Hockey League.-Overview:...
for one season.
Coaching record
| Team | |Regular Season | PIT Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... |
2000–01 | 82 | 42 | 28 | 9 | 3 | 96 | 3rd in Atlantic | Lost in Conf. Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIT Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... |
2001–02 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | (69) | 5th in Atlantic | Missed Playoffs |
Hlinka's death
Hlinka was supposed to be once again head coach of Czech Republic starting from 2004–05 season. However, he died on August 16, 2004, at the age of 54 near Karlovy VaryKarlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary is a spa city situated in western Bohemia, Czech Republic, on the confluence of the rivers Ohře and Teplá, approximately west of Prague . It is named after King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, who founded the city in 1370...
, Czech Republic, when his car collided
Car accident
A traffic collision, also known as a traffic accident, motor vehicle collision, motor vehicle accident, car accident, automobile accident, Road Traffic Collision or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other stationary obstruction,...
with a truck while driving above the speed limit
Speed limit
Road speed limits are used in most countries to regulate the speed of road vehicles. Speed limits may define maximum , minimum or no speed limit and are normally indicated using a traffic sign...
(about 110 km/h, speed limit is 90 km/h). The truck suddenly appeared in his lane. Its driver claims 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 a crossing where it was prohibited. Hlinka was not using a safety belt. According to experts, the safety belt would not have helped him.
Acknowledgement and awards
- Czechoslovak Player of the Year (1977–78)
- Inducted to the IIHF Hall of Fame (2002)
- Czech Ice Hockey Legend (2004)
- Ivan Hlinka Memorial TournamentIvan Hlinka Memorial TournamentThe Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament is an annual event held each August for national under-18 ice hockey teams from around the world. Unsanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation , the tournament is not granted official status by the sport's governing body...
for national U18 ice hockey teams named after him - Ivan Hlinka StadionIvan Hlinka StadionIvan Hlinka Stadion is an indoor sporting arena located in Litvínov, Czech Republic, named after Czech ice hockey player and coach Ivan Hlinka. The capacity of the arena is 7,000 people and was built in 1965. It is currently home to the HC Litvínov ice hockey team....
, arena of HC Litvínov is named after him
Records
Vancouver Canucks team record for most points by a rookie (60). – Tied with Pavel BurePavel Bure
Pavel Vladimirovich Bure is a retired Russian professional ice hockey right winger. Nicknamed "The Russian Rocket" for his speed, Bure played for 12 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers...
Career playing statistics
- Czechoslovak national leagueCzechoslovak ExtraligaThe Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League was the elite ice hockey league in Czechoslovakia from 1930 until 1993, when the country split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Slovak Extraliga and Czech Extraliga formed from the split.-See also:...
: 544 games, 347 goals - Czechoslovak national teamCzechoslovak national ice hockey teamThe Czechoslovak national men's ice hockey team was one of the world's premiere teams during the Soviet dominated international hockey era, often fighting Sweden for second place but sometimes beating the Soviets...
: 256 games, 132 goals - National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
: 137 games, 42 goals and 81 assists
- Olympics: bronze (19721972 Winter OlympicsThe 1972 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from February 3 to February 13, 1972 in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan...
) and silver (19761976 Winter OlympicsThe 1976 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XII Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated February 4–15, 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria...
) - World ChampionshipsIce Hockey World ChampionshipsThe Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
: 3 golds (1972, 1976 and 1977), 5 silvers (1971, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979) and 1 bronze (1973). - National hockey league: finals in 1981–82
Career coaching statistics
- World ChampionshipsIce Hockey World ChampionshipsThe Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
: 1 gold (1999), 4 bronzes (1992, 1993, 1997, 1998). - Olympics: gold (19981998 Winter OlympicsThe 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
)
Quotes about Hlinka
- “It's not that he was just a coach, but he was sort of like Herb BrooksHerb BrooksHerbert Paul Brooks, Jr. was an American ice hockey player and coach. He notably coached the United States' men's hockey team to a 4-3 upset of the heavily favored Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York on February 22, 1980...
was for America.” – Tomas VokounTomas VokounTomáš Vokoun is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
- “Ivan Hlinka was a tremendous ambassador for the game of hockey.” – Craig PatrickCraig PatrickCraig Patrick is a former American hockey player, coach and general manager, the son of Lynn Patrick and the grandson of Lester Patrick...
, general managerGeneral managerGeneral manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
of the Pittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh PenguinsThe Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
- “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 WilliamsTiger WilliamsDavid James "Tiger" Williams is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League from 1974–75 to 1987–88. He is the NHL's career leader in penalty minutes.-NHL career:...
Quotes of Hlinka
- “We had a small problem that we didn't know whether Jarda JágrJaromir JagrJaromír Jágr is a Czech professional ice hockey right winger who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Jágr formerly played with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers, serving as captain of the Penguins and the Rangers...
would go fifth or Vláďa Růžička would go fifth but then, I would say, a respect overpoised because when Vláďa Růžička said he wanted to go fifth, then Džegr said he would go fourth. PatýsPavel PateraPavel Patera , is a professional ice hockey player. He is currently a centre for the HC Kladno in the Czech Extraliga. Patera was drafted by the Dallas Stars at 1998 NHL Entry Draft as the 153rd pick overall.-Career:Patera has played in several countries...
was a bit surprised when we democratically elected him to go because he hadn't played at the end and I believed he can score with a techniques somewhat.” – About a penalty shooting against Canada at Nagano Olympics. - “It doesn't happen very often at us but we had a bigger will to win than Canada had.” – After a win against Canada at Nagano Olympics.
- “I got information about numbers of people standing at various places at home in the beginning of the game. So we thank them that they crossed their fingers for us, it was probably somehow worthy and we will be proud again that we are Czechs and it will not be just because of the hockey.” – After a win of golden Olympic medals at Nagano Olympics.