Miroslav Dvořák (ice hockey)
Miroslav " Kuki " Dvořák ( born September 11, 1951 in Hluboká, Czechoslovakia, † June 11, 2008 in České Budějovice, Czech Republic) was a Czechoslovak ice hockey player who played for many years for HC České Budějovice and the Czechoslovak national team as a defender. During his time in North America, he completed 211 games for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League.
Career
Miroslav Dvořák began his career in 1965 at the young team of motor České Budějovice. From 1970 he played for the men's team of the club before he played during his time in the military 1972-1974 for the army club Dukla Jihlava. In 1974 he won the Czechoslovak Cup with Dukla. After completing his service, he returned to motor České Budějovice and remained loyal to the club until 1982. In 13 seasons in the top division of Czechoslovakia, he scored a total of 79 gates. NHL Entry Draft 1982, he was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round and was given permission to play in the non-communist countries. In three seasons with the Flyers, he scored eleven goals and gave 76 templates. In 1985 he reached the finals with the Flyers to the Stanley Cup, but which has been lost to the Edmonton Oilers. After this success, he signed a contract with the EC Kassel, for which he completed two seasons in the 2nd Bundesliga. Due to the economic bankruptcy of Kassel, followed by another season with EHC Essen-West, before he ended his career after the 1988/89 season with HC České Budějovice.
In addition to his career at club level Miroslav Dvořák also had great success in international championships. With the Czechoslovak Mr. selection, he won a medal at the Olympic Winter Games and eight medals at World Championships. In 1970 he took part in the U20 European Championship and was named the best defender of the tournament.
His first appointment to the Men's National Team he received for the Hockey World Cup 1974 ( silver medal ) and took off this time every year participate in the World Cup. Two years later he was called into the squad for the Olympic Winter Games in 1976 and won the silver medal. Both in 1976 and in 1977 he became world champion with the CSSR selection. 1980 was followed by another at the Olympics in 1976 and 1981 as well as participation in the tournaments at the Canada Cup.
In the national team, he scored 15 goals in 228 international matches for Czechoslovakia.
On 11 June 2008 Dvořák died at the age of 56 years from the effects of long-term cancer in České Budějovice.
Awards and achievements
- Best defender of the U20 European Championship in 1970
- Winning the Czechoslovak Cup 1974
- Gold medal at the World Championships in 1976 and 1977
- Silver medal at the Olympic Winter Games in 1976
- Silver medal at the World Championships in 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1982 and 1983
- Best defender of the 1980/81 season
- Best defender of the 1981/82 season