Ivan Hlinka
Czech centre who helped pioneer NHL migration from Czechoslovakia.
Ivan Hlinka was a Czech professional ice hockey player and coach, widely regarded as a towering figure in the nation’s hockey history. A big center, he drew comparisons to Phil Esposito for his habit of scoring from the slot. He spent the bulk of his playing days with HC Litvínov and also played two seasons in the NHL for the Vancouver Canucks.
Hlinka started playing hockey at age six with Litvínov’s youth team and made his debut in the Czechoslovak league at 16. By 20, he was captain of Litvínov’s senior squad and earned his first call-up to the national team. Over his international career, he appeared in 256 games for Czechoslovakia and scored 132 goals. In the Czechoslovak league, he played 544 games and notched 347 goals. He won the Golden Hockey Stick as the country’s top player in 1978.
He helped Czechoslovakia win world championships in 1972, 1976, and 1977, and earned Olympic bronze in 1972 and silver in 1976. Hlinka played in the first Canada Cup in 1976, where Canada beat Czechoslovakia in a best-of-three final. He became national team captain in 1977 and held the role until 1980.
In 1981, Hlinka and fellow Czech Jiří Bubla joined the Vancouver Canucks, becoming the first Czechoslovak players allowed by their authorities to compete in the NHL. In his rookie season, Hlinka set a Canucks record with 60 points, later matched by Pavel Bure. During the 1982 playoffs, Vancouver reached the Stanley Cup Final against the New York Islanders; though they lost in four straight, Hlinka became the first Czech to play in the Final. The next season, he improved to 63 points in 65 games. Over two NHL seasons, he totaled 42 goals and 81 assists in 137 games.
Back problems forced him to return to Europe in 1983. He played for Swiss team EV Zug until 1985, then returned to Litvínov to begin coaching.
Hlinka started his coaching career at HC Litvínov and later coached briefly in Freiburg, Germany. In the 1986–87 season, with Litvínov in last place, the 37-year-old Hlinka returned to the ice as a player. The team went unbeaten in his first eight games, and he scored 23 points in 19 games.
In the 1990s, he coached the Czechoslovak and later Czech national teams, winning bronze at the Albertville Olympics and world championship bronzes in 1992 and 1993. He left after a poor 1994 world championship but returned in 1997, earning another bronze.
Quick Facts
- Height
- 6 ft 2 in
- Weight
- 220 lb
- Born
- 26 January 1950
- Birthplace
- Most, Czechoslovakia
- Died
- 16 August 2004
- Place of death
- Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
- Position
- Centre
- Shoots
- Left
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Hlinka began playing ice hockey at age six with HC Litvínov's youth team. He played in the Czechoslovak league for the first time when he was 16. At age 20, he became captain of Litvínov's men's team and debuted for the Czechoslovak national team. He played 256 games for the national team, scoring 132 international goals, and 544 games in the Czechoslovak league with 347 goals. He was named the Golden Hockey Stick winner as the country's top player in 1978. Hlinka helped Czechoslovakia win world titles in 1972, 1976, and 1977, and won Olympic bronze in 1972 and silver in 1976. He played in the inaugural Canada Cup in 1976. In 1981, Hlinka and Jiří Bubla joined the Vancouver Canucks, becoming the first Czechoslovak players to compete in the NHL with permission from their country's authorities. In his first NHL season, Hlinka set a Canucks record for most points by a rookie with 60 (later matched by Pavel Bure). During the 1982 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Canucks advanced to the Finals; Hlinka became the first Czech to play in the Stanley Cup Final. The following season he improved to 63 points over 65 games. He returned to Europe in 1983 due to back problems, playing for EV Zug in Switzerland until 1985, then returning to Litvínov to begin coaching.
Reader's Guide
Hlinka's significance extends beyond his playing career. As a coach, he led the Czech national team to gold at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, the first time the NHL released its players for the Games, making him a national hero. His teams also won bronze at the Albertville Olympics and multiple World Championship medals. In 2000–01, he returned to the NHL as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, becoming one of the first Europeans to coach in the league. His first season coincided with Mario Lemieux's return and a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals. After a difficult second season, he was fired and returned to Europe. His legacy includes the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament for national under-18 hockey teams and the Ivan Hlinka Stadion, the arena of HC Litvínov. He was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2002.
Did You Know?
- Hlinka set a Canucks rookie record of 60 points in his first NHL season, later matched by Pavel Bure.
- He was the first Czech player to appear in the Stanley Cup Final, in 1982 with Vancouver.
- Hlinka and Jiří Bubla were the first Czechoslovak players allowed by their country to play in the NHL.
- He died in a car collision on the E48 highway near Karlovy Vary while en route to ensure Jaromír Jágr would participate in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Ivan Hlinka born?
Ivan Hlinka was born on 26 January 1950 in Most, Czechoslovakia.
When did Ivan Hlinka die?
Ivan Hlinka died on 16 August 2004 in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic.
Which teams did Ivan Hlinka play for?
Ivan Hlinka played for HC Litvínov, EV Zug, Vancouver Canucks and Dukla Trenčín.
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