Former NHL player Tomas Kloucek has passed away at the age of 45 due to a skiing accident in Czechia. His wife, Barbara Klouckova, shared the heartbreaking news on social media, expressing her profound loss and asking for privacy during this difficult time.
The NHL Alumni Association expressed their sorrow, noting that Kloucek was selected by the New York Rangers in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft after playing with HC Slavia Praha in Czechia. They extended their condolences to his family, friends, and former teammates.
Kloucek made his NHL debut with the Rangers in the 2000-01 season, playing 43 games and recording one goal and four assists. He played 95 games for the Rangers before being traded to the Nashville Predators in 2002. Unfortunately, a knee injury limited his appearances that season. He later played for the Atlanta Thrashers and returned to Czechia after the 2006-07 season, continuing his career with several teams there. Kloucek concluded his professional hockey career in France's Ligue Magnus in the 2016-17 season.
The New York Rangers honored Kloucek with a moment of silence before their game against the Calgary Flames at Madison Square Garden.