Petr Klima, Stanley Cup winner, dies at 58
Stanley Cup winner Petr Klima dies at age 58 as the hockey world pays tribute to former Czech Edmonton Oilers forward
- Czech club HC Litvinov has announced the death of Stanley Cup winner Petr Klima
- In 13 seasons in the NHL, the right winger scored 313 regular season goals
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Stanley Cup winner and Czech striker Petr Klima has passed away at the age of 58.
The news was announced by HC Litvinov, the Czech club where he started his career in the 1981-82 season, and by Kadan, where he previously worked as general manager. The cause of death was not given.
Litvinov said the news caused “great pain in the heart.”
Klima emigrated from communist Czechoslovakia in 1985, four years before the fall of the Iron Curtain.
In 786 games in 13 seasons in the NHL, the right winger scored 313 regular season goals and provided 260 assists. He scored another 28 times with 24 assists in 95 playoff games.
Petr Klima (85), who won the Stanley Cup during his NHL career, has passed away at the age of 58
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Bill Ranford (center) and Klima (right) celebrate in 1990
He won the Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers in 1990 and also played for the Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning, Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins.
“The NHL mourns the passing of Czech legend Petr Klima,” the association said in a statement.
Klima helped the Oilers win the 1990 Stanley Cup as he scored a memorable three-time winner in Game 1 of the Finals. Our condolences go out to his family, friends and many fans.”
It was the last time the Oilers won the trophy.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Oilers alum Petr Klima and extend our condolences to his family and all loved ones,” the Oilers wrote on Twitter.
They said his three-time overtime winner from the right circle in the opening game of the 1990 Finals against the Boston Bruins was one of the most iconic in Oilers history.
Exactly 32 years ago on May 4, 1991, Klima scored a natural hat-trick for the Oilers in 5:13 to contribute to a 7-2 victory over the Minnesota North Stars.
The Red Wings, with whom Klima spent his first five NHL seasons before returning to Detroit for his final 1998–99 season, said they were “deeply saddened” and offered “heartfelt condolences” to Klima’s family.
Klima played 28 games for his country and scored 10 goals. He was a member of the Czechoslovak team at the 1984 Canada Cup.
Klima’s two sons, Kevin and Kelly, play in the top Czech league.