Miroslav Fryčer passed away

One of the most famous Czech player and later coach, Miroslav Fryčer, died at 61 after a short illness. In 2009 underwent a liver transplant.

Born in Opava, Fryčer started his career at Vítkovice, where he won a league and made his debut with Czechoslovakia national team. In 1979 he was a member of the silver team at the World Championships, two years later he won bronze. Moved to North America in 1981, becoming a NHL star playing for Quebec, Toronto, Detroit and Edmonton until 1989. In the NHL he played 415 matches, scored 147 goals and served 183 assists. He added three more goals and eight passes in 17 playoff games. He scored a hat-trick nine times in the NHL, only Jaromír Jágr and David Pastrňák among Czech players have a better record

In 1989, Fryčer returned to Europe and completed his career in Germany and Italy, where he built and developed his coaching career, on the bench of Val Pusteria, Merano, Ritten/Renon, Cortina and Fassa. Was champion with HC Merano (1998-99) and in Poland with KH Sanok (2013-14)

From 2018 he worked as coach and Sporting Director at Orli Znojmo, in the EBEL.This season, Znojmo were to play in the Czech second league, but the competition was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.