Ivan Hlinka was a Czechoslovakian ice hockey player and coach who had a successful career both on and off the ice. He began his playing career in the Czechoslovakian league in the 1970s, where he quickly established himself as a skilled forward. He played for several teams throughout his career, including Dukla Jihlava, HC Litvinov, and HC Pardubice.
Hlinka's success on the ice led to him being selected to represent Czechoslovakia in international competitions. He played in several World Championships and Olympic Games, helping his team win gold medals in both tournaments. He was also a member of the Czechoslovakian team that won the Canada Cup in 1976.
After retiring from playing, Hlinka turned his attention to coaching. He began his coaching career in the Czechoslovakian league, where he led HC Litvinov to several championships. He also coached the Czechoslovakian national team, leading them to a gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
Hlinka's success as a coach led to him being hired by several NHL teams. He served as an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers before being named head coach of the Penguins in 2000. He led the team to the Eastern Conference Finals in his first season as head coach, but was fired the following year after a slow start to the season.
Tragically, Hlinka's life was cut short in 2004 when he was killed in a car accident in the Czech Republic. He was 54 years old at the time of his death. Hlinka's legacy as a player and coach lives on, however, and he is remembered as one of the greatest Czechoslovakian hockey players of all time.
🏒