Czech celebrities past and present gathered in Litvinov on Saturday to join in the commemoration of the former Detroit Red Wings star Petr Klima. And they did it in the best way possible – by playing a charity hockey game.
Among the current NHL stars participating in the festivities are David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins, Martin Necas of the Carolina Hurricanes, David Kampf of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jan Rutta of the San Jose Sharks and former Red Wings forward Filip Zadina, now with the Sharks and defenseman Filip Hronek, who currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks. Pastrnak started the game working on a line with Klima’s twin sons Kelly and Kevin.
38 years ago today ON THIS DAY in hockey history (August 18, 1985):
Petr Klima left Czechoslovakia to join the @DetroitRedWings pic.twitter.com/5ZPo2Q9Y8S
– Vintage Hockey Showcase (@hockey_vintage) August 18, 2023
Past Czech NHLers who have chosen to suit up include Patrik Elias, Michal Neuvirth, Ziggy Palffy, Robert Reichel, Ondrej Pavelec, Ondrej Kase, David Vyborny, Martin Skoula and Jiri Tlusty. Another curious participant is former Czech international and Chelsea soccer goalkeeper Peter Cech, now a netminder in English pro hockey.
Cech can now boast that he has faced shots from Lionel Messi and Pastrnak.
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The game’s coaches include ex-NHLers Martin Rucinsky, Jakub Voracek and Jiri Slegr, the latter a member of the Red Wings’ 2001-02 Stanley Cup championship squad.
“I said the lineup and gave the guys beer,” Voracek told the Czech website isport.blesk.cz in his role behind the bank.
Participants shared their memories of Klima and recognized his legacy in the sport of his homeland.
“I don’t know him personally, but I have memories of him since February,” said Elias. The two players performed at the time in a game to honor the 25th anniversary of the 1998 Czech Olympic gold medal victory. “He was amazing there, fun to be with. He really enjoyed it.â€
It didn’t take long when Klima died on May 4 at the age of 58.
“No one can predict what will happen next,” said Elias. “But the memory of him like this is very good. Even with the fact that two of his sons play on the ice. Everything fell into place. “
Amazingly, the game took place almost 38 years to the August 18, 1985 day when Klima’s defection from the former Czechoslovakia to play for the Red Wings took place.