Jozef Golonka
Jozef " Joschi " Golonka ( born January 6, 1938 in Bratislava ) is a former Slovak ice hockey player and coach.
Career as a player
The center player started his career at the Slovan Bratislava where he played from 1955 to 1957 and from 1959 to 1969. In between, he played during his military service at Dukla Jihlava ASD. Overall, he completed 300 games in the Czechoslovak league, where he scored 298 goals. In addition, he completed a sports studies and carries the title of an engineer. At the end of his career he moved to SC Riessersee. Here he was - used as a defender - in the period 1969-1972 to 44 goals in 104 Bundesliga games.
Internationally
His talent was quickly recognized by the leaders of the Czechoslovak national team and he participated in 134 international matches, in which he scored 82 goals. With the national team of Czechoslovakia he reached in five world championships and three Olympic Games, two World Championship silver and bronze medals, two World Championships, and Olympic bronze medal in 1964 in Innsbruck and Olympic silver in 1968 in Grenoble. It succeeded the Czechoslovaks to defeat the Soviet national ice hockey team 5-4.
Career as a coach
After he had ended his active playing career, he devoted himself to the work as a trainer. First, from 1975 to 1979 at SC Riessersee, with whom he became German champion in 1978. After that he went for a time back in Czechoslovakia and trained there Zetor Brno, Czechoslovakia and the Junior and B- team. However, in 1982 he returned to Germany, first to Garmisch and then from 1983 to 1985 at the Cologne Sharks, with whom he was German champion in 1984. After that, he had to return back home and coached Slovan Bratislava, his hometown club. More coach stations were the HC Davos, 1989-1992 ECD Iserlohn and 1992 to 1995 EHC 80 Nürnberg.
In 1996 and 1997 he was at the band of the Slovak national ice hockey team, but after he retired from active sport and now acts mostly as a consultant. For his achievements in the sport, he was honored in 1998 with the entry into the IIHF Hall of Fame and in 2004 with the induction into the Hall of Fame Germany. He is also a member of the Slovak Hall of Fame.