Former NHL defender Tomas Kloucek died after a ski accident in the Czech Republic.
Kloucek was 45.
Kloucek’s wife, Barbara Klouckova, confirmed her husband’s death On Instagram Monday.
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New York Ranger’s defender Tomas Kloucek (22) in action against St. Louis Blues Right Wing Scott Young (48) in Madison Square Garden. (Lou Capozzola-usa Today Network)
“Yesterday, after a serious accident, my husband, my universe, my love, daddy of our children and your friend Tomas Kloucek left us forever,” Klouckova wrote. “You who were around him deserve to know. Respect our privacy and sorrow that we are now struggling with.”
The NHL Alumni Association has also released a statement about the tragic death.
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“A defender, the New York Rangers Selected Tomas with the 131st Pick in the NHL -Try design of 1998 after three seasons with his hometown HC Slavia Praha of the Czech Republic U20.
“We send our deepest condolences to the friends, family and former teammates of Tomas during this incredibly difficult time.”
Player Tomas Kloucek from the Nashville Predators. (Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
As mentioned, the Rangers Kloucek set up in 1998, and he finally broke in the competition at the age of 20 for 43 games during the 2000-01 season. He scored one goal and shoved four assists that season.
The Rangers had a moment of silence for Kloucek before they took the Calgary Flames in Madison Square Garden on Tuesday evening.
Kloucek played 95 games of 2000-02 with the Rangers before being treated before the 2002-03 campaign on the Nashville predators. But he only played three games that season due to a knee injury.
Kloucek eventually started the 2003-04 season with the Predators before being treated again, this time on the Thrashers then.
Due to five NHL seasons (141 games), Kloucek was two goals and eight assists for 10 points. He would later return to his native of the Czech Republic after the 2006-07 season, where he continued to play with Slavia Praha, HC Zlin, Bili Tygri Liberec and Ocelari Trinec.
Tomas Kloucek from Atlanta (5) will be shown in a match against Washington on Saturday, March 20, 2004. (George Bridges/MCT/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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Kloucek would complete his career in the French Ligue Magnus during the 2016-17 campaign.
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