Frantisek Kucera was a professional ice hockey player from the Czech Republic who played as a defenseman. He began his career in the Czechoslovak Extraliga, playing for HC Sparta Praha, where he won two league titles. In 1990, he was drafted by the NHL's Vancouver Canucks in the 10th round, 201st overall.
Kucera made his NHL debut in the 1991-92 season, playing in 47 games for the Canucks. He was known for his solid defensive play and physicality, and quickly became a fan favorite in Vancouver. He played for the Canucks for four seasons before being traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in 1995.
Kucera played for the Flyers for two seasons before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1997. He played for the Penguins for one season before being traded to the New York Islanders in 1998. He played for the Islanders for two seasons before being traded back to the Canucks in 2000.
Kucera played his final two seasons in the NHL with the Canucks, retiring after the 2001-02 season. Over the course of his NHL career, he played in 634 games, scoring 22 goals and 94 assists for a total of 116 points. He was known for his physical play, racking up 1,063 penalty minutes over his career.
After retiring from the NHL, Kucera returned to the Czech Republic to play for HC Sparta Praha once again. He played for the team for two seasons before retiring for good in 2004.
Kucera also represented the Czech Republic in international play, playing in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and the 1998 Winter Olympics. He won a gold medal with the Czech Republic at the 1998 Olympics.
Overall, Frantisek Kucera had a successful career as a professional ice hockey player, playing in the NHL for 11 seasons and representing his country in international play. He was known for his solid defensive play and physicality, and was a fan favorite in Vancouver during his time with the Canucks.
🏒