Hockey community mourns the tragic loss of former gold medalist who sadly passed away at 72-year old
Photo credit: Hawksinsider
The hockey community mourns the tragic loss of former gold medalist and Czech Hockey Hall of Famer Jiri Kochta.
The hockey world has been hit with another tragedy, as several reports confirmed that former gold and silver medalists, Jiri Kochta, who is also in the Czech Hockey Hall of Fame had sadly passed away at 72-years old.
Recent reports confirmed that Kochta was battling cancer but has sadly lost the fight.
Czech journalist Robert Záruba shared the following heartbreaking news on social media:
translated from Czech: Jiři Kochta, the 1972 world champion and Sparta icon, has died after a long battle with a serious illness. Luděk Bukač wrote about him in his book, "the best hockey player I have ever coached."
Another source, Hockey.Worldwide on instagram illustrated his career throughout the years, along with confirming the devastating news:
I am sorry to hear about the passing of former forward 🇨🇿Jiři Kochta at the age of 72, following a lengthy battle with cancer.
Kochta played for ASD Dukla Jihlava 🇨🇿 and TJ Sparta Praha 🇨🇿 in the Czechoslovak Extraliga from 1965-1979. He helped Jihlava win the Spengler Cup in 1965 and the Extraliga in 1967 and 1968. The Praha native ended his career playing for EV Landshut 🇩🇪, EHC 70 München 🇩🇪, and EC Hedos München 🇩🇪 until 1986.
Internationally, Kochta scored 46 (24+22) points in 67 games with Czechoslovakia 🇨🇿 from 1967-1975. He won a gold medal at the 1972 World Championship; silver medals at the 1968 Olympics, 1971 World Championship, 1974 World Championship, and 1975 World Championship; and bronze medals at the 1970 World Championship, 1972 Olympics, and 1973 World Championship.
Kochta was inducted into the Czech Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010.
Kochta played for ASD Dukla Jihlava 🇨🇿 and TJ Sparta Praha 🇨🇿 in the Czechoslovak Extraliga from 1965-1979. He helped Jihlava win the Spengler Cup in 1965 and the Extraliga in 1967 and 1968. The Praha native ended his career playing for EV Landshut 🇩🇪, EHC 70 München 🇩🇪, and EC Hedos München 🇩🇪 until 1986.
Internationally, Kochta scored 46 (24+22) points in 67 games with Czechoslovakia 🇨🇿 from 1967-1975. He won a gold medal at the 1972 World Championship; silver medals at the 1968 Olympics, 1971 World Championship, 1974 World Championship, and 1975 World Championship; and bronze medals at the 1970 World Championship, 1972 Olympics, and 1973 World Championship.
Kochta was inducted into the Czech Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010.
Oh behalf of everyone here at NY Rangers Insider we send out out deepest condolences to the family and friends of Kochta, as they navigate through this difficult time.
May he rest in peace.
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