The former NHL defense, Tomas Kloucek, died after a ski accident in Checia.
Kloucek was 45 years old.
Kloucek’s wife, Barbara Kluckova, confirmed her husband’s death on Instagram on Monday.
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The defenders of the New York Rangers Tomas Kloucek (22) in action against the right wing of St. Louis Blues Scott Young (48) in the Madison Square Garden. (Lou Capozzola-USA Today Network)
“Yesterday, after a serious accident, my husband, my universe, my love, dad of our children and his friend Tomás Kloucek abandoned us forever,” Klouckova wrote. “All of you who were around you deserve to know. Please respect our privacy and the pain we are dealing with at this time.”
The NHL student association also issued a statement about the tragic death.
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“A defense, the New York Rangers selected Tomás with selection 131 in the 1998 NHL input draft after three seasons with their hometown, HC Slavia Praha de la Checia U20.
“We send our deepest condolences to friends, family and former teammates of Tomás during this incredibly difficult time.”
The player Tomas Kloucek of Nashville predators. (Bruce Bennett Studios through Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
As mentioned, the Rangers wrote Kloucek in 1998, and finally broke into the League at age 20 for 43 games during the 2000-01 season. He scored a goal and distributed four assists that season.
The Rangers had a moment of silence for Kloucek before facing Calgary’s flames at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
Kloucek played 95 games since 2000-02 with the Rangers before he was treated to Nashville’s predators before the 2002-03 campaign. But he played only three games that season due to a knee injury.
Kloucek ended up starting the 2003-04 season with predators before being treated again, this time to the Thrashers of Atlanta.
Through five seasons of the NHL (141 games), Kloucek totaled two goals and eight assists for 10 points. Later he would return to his native Czech after the 2006-07 season, where he continued playing with Slavia Praha, HC ZLIN, Bili Tygri Liberec and Ocelari Trinec.
Tomas Kloucek (5) of Atlanta is shown in a game against Washington on Saturday, March 20, 2004. (George Bridges/MCT/Tribune news service through Getty Images)
Kloucek would complete his career in the magnus of France during the 2016-17 campaign.
