LOTCB Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Sad news. Ivan Hlinka killed in car crash Ex-Penguins coach Hlinka killed in car accident Aug. 16, 2004 SportsLine.com wire reports PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Czech Republic national ice hockey team coach, and former Pittsburgh Penguins coach, Ivan Hlinka died Monday after sustaining serious injuries in a car crash, an official said. Hlinka was taken to a hospital for treatment where he died, Czech national team spokesman Pavel Barta said. The accident took place near Karlovy Vary, 69 miles west of Prague, at about 11 p.m., Barta said. Hlinka's car collided with a truck, he said. "Ivan Hlinka was hospitalized with serious injuries and despite all efforts he didn't survive," said Zdenka Markova, spokeswoman for Karlovy Vary's hospital. Hlinka died at about 1:30 p.m., she said. He was 54. Hlinka, who was reappointed Czech coach in May, led the Czech Republic to gold at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. He then coached the Pittsburgh 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. AP NEWS The Associated Press News Service Copyright 2004, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyk Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Whoa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brodeurfanatic Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Our prayers go to the Hlinka family. A Very sad day in hockey, Indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueNJ97 Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Damn. There is something about hockey coaches and car accidents. This is terrible news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 What a shame. My thought go out to his family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
langsgirl Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 sad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevilMinder Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Jeez . My thoughts are with his family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepperkorn Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 it's so surreal. I can't believe it really. Part of me thinks the usual sad bummer guy died stuff -- but then when I think about it being Hlinka - he was a very alive kind of guy. And all the Czech jokes that everyone made when the Pens bit it in the playoffs. How Jagr was supposed to bring him to the Craps and stuff... I mean.. it's just WEIRD!! I dont know sometimes I just can't get my head around existing and not existing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Sad news. My condolences to the family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueNJ97 Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Isn't this the coach that Jaromir Jagr openly feuded with and ultimately was responsible for his firing? I could swear he was the one in charge when Jaromir Jagr was telling his linemates to ignore all orders from the coach and follow his way more offensive minded lead. This is tragic. He got Constantine fired for being too defensive-minded. He got Hlinka fired as well, but I don't think it was because Ivan was demanding too much defensive play. Jagr never lasts too long with any coach. In the end, there is always something wrong with them. They expect him to breath the wrong way. They use the wrong hair gel. WTF knows??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepperkorn Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 I don't know why I feel like I have to say this -- but that was why the joke about Jagr bringing him to to Craps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek21 Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 That's just horrible . I feel so bad for his family and for the Czech Republic. I wonder who they'll get to coach in his place and how will players react. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueNJ97 Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 You may want to go over to www.hockeyrodent.com, he seems to have a few more details from someone he knows who is a czech reporter. It seems that the current rumor is that Hlinka was on his way to visit Jagr, who is still undecided as to whether he will actually play in the WC, when he was killed. Yikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHEDEVIL30 Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 sad indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceThief Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 This is tragic beyond belief and an awful loss. All of my heart and best wishes go out to Hlinka's family and everyone in the Czech Republic. RIP Ivan. You will be very dearly missed. IceThief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'7' Posted August 18, 2004 Share Posted August 18, 2004 Vladimir Ruzicka will replace him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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