Jiri HOLECEK

Jiří Holeček is usually considered the greatest goaltender in Czechoslovakia ice hockey history. His senior level club career began in 1961 with TJ Dynamo Praha, with whom he played two seasons. He then joined HC Košice and was with them from 1963-73, after which he played with ČKD Praha from 1973-78. He finished his club career in Germany with EHC München from 1978-80 and was with EHC Essen Moskitos in 1980-81 before retiring. Holeček was chosen by the Ottawa Nationals in the 1972 WHA General Player Draft, but never played professionally in North America.

Internationally, Holeček competed at the 1972 and 1976 Winter Olympics, winning a bronze medal in 1972, and was on World Championship teams in 1977, 1971-74, and 1976-78. At the Worlds he won golds in 1972, 1976, and 1977, silvers in 1966, 1971, 1974, and 1978, and bronzes in 1973. He also claimed eight European Championship medals (4 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze), contested as part of the World Championships. At the Worlds Holeček was named to the All-Star teams in 1971-73, 1976, and 1978, and was named the best goalkeeper at the World Championships in 1971, 1973, 1975-76, and 1978. In 1976 Holeček also helped Czechoslovakia to a runner-up finish at the Canada Cup. He won the 1974 Czechoslovakian Golden Stick award, given to the top Czechoslovakian ice hockey player each year, and in 1998, was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame. In the 1980s he coached the Czechoslovakian goaltenders.