Former Penguins coach dies in car accident

[Luther]

Normally I wouldn't mention this story, but a couple years ago former Penguins and U.S Hockey coach Herb Brooks also died in a car accident. Strange coincidence.


http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=1860235

ESPN.com news services

PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Ivan Hlinka, a former Pittsburgh Penguins coach who led the Czech Republic to a gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, died Monday after being injured in a car crash. He was 54.

Hlinka's car collided with a truck late Sunday night near Karlovy Vary, about 70 miles west of Prague. He was taken to a hospital, where he died, team spokesman Pavel Barta said.

"Ivan Hlinka was hospitalized with serious injuries and despite all efforts he didn't survive," hospital spokeswoman Zdenka Markova said, adding that Hlinka's most serious injuries were to his ribcage.

Police are investigating the accident, and local media reported that the truck had mechanical problems.

Hlinka was returning from the spa town of Karlovy Vary on Monday after gaining reassurances from Jaromir Jagr that the New York Rangers' winger would take part in the World Cup tournament starting later this month.

Hlinka, who was reappointed Czech coach in May, was going to coach the team at the World Cup of Hockey.

With the Czechs due to begin their World Cup campaign against Finland on Aug. 30, officials from the Czech ice hockey association will meet later on Monday to decide on a replacement for Hlinka.

Vladimir Ruzicka, Hlinka's close friend and another former NHL player who now leads Slavia Prague, is seen as the most likely replacement.

He coached the Penguins in 2001, taking them to the third round of the playoffs. He had a 42-32-9 record with the team before being replaced four games into the 2001-02 season.

Hlinka won three world titles as a player with the Czechoslovakia team in the 1970s.

Information from The Associated Press and Reuters was used in this report.

[barbedwireman]

I was just reading that in the Pittsburgh postgazette online Luther. That is some freaky shit there. He was not a good NHL coach, but it is still sad to see something like that happen.

[Luther]

Originally Posted by barbedwireman

I was just reading that in the Pittsburgh postgazette online Luther. That is some freaky shit there. He was not a good NHL coach, but it is still sad to see something like that happen.

Did that newspaper mention that Herb Brooks also died in a car accident?

[barbedwireman]

Originally Posted by Luther

Did that newspaper mention that Herb Brooks also died in a car accident?

No it didnt mention Herb. Here is the article:

Pittsburgh Post Gazette article


Former Penguins' coach Hlinka dies in car accident
Monday, August 16, 2004

By The Associated Press


PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Ivan Hlinka, a former Pittsburgh Penguins coach who led the Czech Republic to a gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, died today after being injured in a car crash. He was 54.

Hlinka's car collided with a truck late last night near Karlovy Vary, about 70 miles west of Prague. He was taken to a hospital, where he died, team spokesman Pavel Barta said.

"Ivan Hlinka was hospitalized with serious injuries and despite all efforts he didn't survive," hospital spokeswoman Zdenka Markova said, adding that Hlinka's most serious injuries were to his rib cage.

Hlinka was reappointed Czech coach in May, and was set to lead the team at the World Cup of Hockey later this month.

He coached the Penguins in 2001, taking them to the third round of the playoffs. He had a 42-32-9 record with the team before being replaced four games into the 2001-02 season.

"On behalf of the entire Pittsburgh Penguins organization, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Ivan's family," said Penguins general manager Craig Patrick in a prepared statement. "Ivan Hlinka was a tremendous ambassador for the game of hockey. He was a great hockey player, a player that many of the current Czech players idolized growing up. He brought a wealth of hockey knowledge and enthusiasm with him to the rink everyday. His contributions to the Penguins' organization during his time in Pittsburgh will never be forgotten."

A former standout in the NHL and on the international stage, Hlinka is widely credited with building the Czech Republic's hockey program into one of the elite in the world today. He served as head coach of the Czech national team during much of the 1990's, leading his country to a 1999 world championship and two Olympic medals, including the country's first gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Games. That team included Penguins players Jaromir Jagr, Robert Lang, Martin Straka, Jiri Slegr and Josef Beranek.

Hlinka enjoyed a successful career as a player in Czechoslovakia, including 11 appearances in the World Championships and three gold medals (1972, 1976, 1977). He also was a member of the 1972 and 1976 Czechoslovakian Olympic teams, winning bronze and silver medals. In addition, Hlinka was named top forward at the 1976 Canada Cup. He finished his international career with 132 goals.

[Luther]

It is surprising that they didn't mention that. It was the first thing that came to mind when I saw that headline.

[F1reb1rd]

Not only did Herb die in a car accident too, but it was like a year and a week ago or some shit.

How you gonna say Hlinka wasnt a good NHL coach? He took the Pens to the Easter Conference Finals his first year coaching here.

[Luther]

Originally Posted by F1reb1rd

Not only did Herb die in a car accident too, but it was like a year and a week ago or some shit.

How you gonna say Hlinka wasnt a good NHL coach? He took the Pens to the Easter Conference Finals his first year coaching here.

I used to love the Penguins back in the day when Jaromir Jagr was the greatest player around.

[Sammy Girl]

Originally Posted by Luther

I used to love the Penguins back in the day when Jaromir Jagr was the greatest player around.

Yeah and when they actually won games.

[barbedwireman]

Originally Posted by F1reb1rd

Not only did Herb die in a car accident too, but it was like a year and a week ago or some shit.

How you gonna say Hlinka wasnt a good NHL coach? He took the Pens to the Easter Conference Finals his first year coaching here.

The guy undoubtedly knows hockey, but he was not a good NHL coach because he spoke zero english and could not communicate with his players or assistants. He was "asked " to learn English over the off season after his first season was over and totally blew off the request of management.

He is/was a great czek coach because he knows the language. Hard to be a great coach using sign language during a game and practice. Sorry, but those are the facts. I live in Pgh and appreciate what he did while he was here, but he could have done a lot more if he knew the language.

[mr_omerta]

The Pens will be back into it, as long as hockey actually comes back after next year.