Petr Klima, a former NHL player for the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins, is dead.
According to reports in Czech media, he was found lifeless at his home in the city of Chomutov. He was only 58 years old.
Petr Klima was a well-known talent in the US before he even made his way over from Czechoslovakia. Klima played for seasons with the Red Wings before being traded to the Oilers during the 1989-90 season. Klima’s name will always be remembered as the player who scored the game-winning goal in the longest Stanley Cup Finals game in history.
Game 1 of the 1990 Finals between the Oilers and the Boston Bruins was in third OT when Klima scored the record-breaking goal. After playing for several teams, Klima retired from the NHL in 1999 but continued to play in the Czech League before retiring for good.
Klima played 786 games in the NHL, scoring 313 goals and 573 points. He was also known for how he was off the ice. He was in several disciplinary woes, and with Bob Probert, he was suspended from the Red Wings at one point.
After his playing days, Klima has been working with hockey in other ways. Earlier this year, he wrote about hockey for the Czech newspaper iSport.cz and his son, Kevin, played in the finals of the Czech league just days ago, and Klima was there watching.
According to Czech media, the cause of death is yet to be known.
Rest In Peace!
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