Václav Nedomanský

Lore & Background

Nedomanský played for Slovan Bratislava in Czechoslovakia's major pro league starting in 1962, recording seven 30-goal seasons in 12 years and becoming a folklore hero. He also played basketball, tennis, and football, and briefly scored a goal for Slovan Bratislava's B team in football. He studied biology and physical education. In 1974, he defected to North America with help from John F. Bassett of the Toronto Toros, flying from Zurich, Switzerland. Government officials tried to erase him from memory, telling teammates he died in a car accident and scrubbing his image from team photos. He saw his father only once more in 1984, and could not return to his homeland until 1991 after the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Reader's Guide

Nedomanský's defection in 1974 was a landmark event, as he was the first Czechoslovak hockey player to leave for North America. He played over three seasons in the WHA with the Toronto Toros and Birmingham Bulls, peaking with 56 goals and 98 points in 1975–76, winning the Paul Deneau Trophy for sportsmanship. He was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in a unique cross-league deal, playing five seasons there with highs of 38 goals and 74 points. In his final season (1982–83), he played for the Rangers and Blues. After playing, he coached in Germany and Austria and scouted for the Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, and Vegas Golden Knights. His legacy as a pioneer for Czech and Slovak players is widely recognized; the winter stadium in Hodonín bears his name. David Conte, who helped make the case for his Hockey Hall of Fame induction, noted that his defection gave hope to players behind the Iron Curtain and enriched the game globally.

Did You Know?

• He won the Paul Deneau Trophy for gentlemanly conduct in the 1975–76 WHA season.
• The 1972 Czechoslovak national team's World Championship victory over the Soviet Union was cited by tennis legend Martina Navratilova as a catalyst for her own defection in 1975.