Petr Klima Biography
Petr Klíma (born December 23, 1964 – died May 4, 2023) was a Czech professional ice hockey forward who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1985 to 1999 for the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins.
He began his career with TJ CHZ Litvínov in 1981 and was drafted 86th overall in 1983 by the Red Wings. Klíma made international headlines when he defected from Czechoslovakia in August 1985, becoming the first Czech player to defect directly to a U.S.-based NHL team.
He wore jersey number 85 throughout his career in honor of his defection year.
Klíma’s most iconic moment came on May 15, 1990, when he scored the triple-overtime game-winning goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, helping the Oilers win the 1990 Stanley Cup Championship.
He totaled 313 goals and 573 points in 786 NHL games, and also represented Czechoslovakia internationally in the 1983 and 1984 World Junior Championships, winning silver and bronze medals, and played in the 1984 Canada Cup.
After retiring from the NHL in 1999, he played two more seasons in the Czech league from 2001 to 2003 with HC Litvínov, where he served as captain.
Klíma passed away unexpectedly at his home in Chomutov, Czech Republic, on May 4, 2023, at the age of 58, and is remembered as a bold defector, a Stanley Cup hero, and a pioneering European player in the NHL.
Petr Klíma Wikipedia
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Petr Klíma |
| Date of Birth | December 23, 1964 |
| Date of Death | May 4, 2023 |
| Place of Birth | Chomutov, Czechoslovakia |
| Place of Death | Chomutov, Czech Republic |
| Nationality | Czech |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| Position | Right Wing |
| Shoots | Left |
| NHL Debut | 1985 (Detroit Red Wings) |
| Jersey Number | #85 (symbolizing the year of his defection) |
| NHL Teams | Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, LA Kings, and Penguins |
| NHL Career Span | 1985–1999 |
| NHL Games Played | 786 |
| NHL Goals | 313 |
| NHL Assists | 260 |
| NHL Points | 573 |
| Playoff Stats | 95 GP – 28 G – 24 A – 52 PTS |
| Stanley Cup | 1990 Champion with the Edmonton Oilers |
| Notable Moment | Triple-OT GWG in Game 1 of the 1990 Stanley Cup Final |
| International Medals | Silver (1983 WJC), Bronze (1984 WJC), Canada Cup 1984 |
| Defection Date | August 18, 1985 |
| Post-NHL Career | Played & captained HC Litvínov (2001–2003) |
| Wife | Irina Klíma |
| Children | Jessi (daughter), Kevin & Kelly Klíma (twin sons, pro hockey players) |
| Father | Josef Klíma (former international hockey player) |
| Legacy | First Czech to defect directly to a U.S. NHL team, Stanley Cup hero, pioneer |
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Petr Klíma Age
Petr Klíma was 58 years old at the time of his passing on May 4, 2023, in his hometown of Chomutov, Czech Republic.
Petr Klima’s Early Life and Hockey Career in Europe
On December 23, 1964, Petr Klima was born in the Czech Republic. He was a talented player when he first began playing hockey at a young age.
Klima was selected in the NHL draft of 1981 by the Detroit Red Wings, but he decided to remain in the Czechoslovak Republic and continue playing with HC Vitkovice.
Klima kept up his impressive play over the following several years, and in 1985, he was a member of the Czechoslovak team that took home the gold medal at the World Junior Championships.
Due to Klima’s accomplishments on the world stage, the Detroit Red Wings signed him in 1985.
In the 1985–86 NHL season, he made his debut and quickly built a name for himself as a dynamic player with a propensity for goal scoring.
Klima scored 32 goals in his debut campaign, helping the Red Wings reach the playoffs for the first time in six years.
Petr Klíma’s Hockey Career in Europe (1981–1985, 1999–2003)
Petr Klíma began his professional hockey career in 1981 with HC Litvínov, one of the top teams in the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League.
As a young forward, he quickly gained attention for his speed, scoring ability, and offensive instincts.
During his time in Czechoslovakia, he also played for Dukla Jihlava, a team affiliated with the military, where he helped secure domestic league titles in 1984 and 1985.
These performances made him a standout player in Europe, eventually catching the eye of NHL scouts.
Despite being drafted 86th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, Klíma was not immediately allowed to leave communist Czechoslovakia.
However, after years of restrictions and surveillance, he famously defected in August 1985 during a Red Wings training camp in West Germany, becoming one of the earliest Czechoslovak players to escape to the NHL during the Cold War.
After his NHL career ended in 1999, Klíma briefly returned to play in Europe.
From 1999 to 2003, he rejoined HC Litvínov in the Czech Extraliga, bringing his veteran experience and leadership to the team that had launched his career.
He also had short stints with other European teams, contributing on and off the ice before officially retiring from professional hockey.
Klíma’s European career bookended a remarkable journey, beginning in a communist system and ending as a celebrated NHL and Czech hockey legend.
Petr Klíma International Play & Post‑NHL Life
Before joining the NHL, Petr Klíma represented Czechoslovakia in several major international tournaments. Known for his explosive speed and goal-scoring ability, he was a key player in his country’s youth and senior teams:
1983 IIHF World Junior Championship – Silver Medal
1984 IIHF World Junior Championship – Bronze Medal
1984 Canada Cup – Represented Czechoslovakia against top international talent
Klíma’s international career was abruptly halted by his defection in 1985, which led to a ban from representing his home country.
As a result, he was unable to participate in the Olympics or future IIHF tournaments under the Czechoslovak flag during his NHL prime.
Petr Klíma Legacy & Passing
Petr Klíma is remembered as a trailblazer, Stanley Cup hero, and one of the most electrifying Czech forwards of his era.
His 1985 defection from communist Czechoslovakia to join the NHL was not only daring, but it paved the way for future Eastern European players to pursue professional careers in North America.
At a time when such moves were politically risky, Klíma became a symbol of courage and freedom in sports.
His legendary triple-overtime goal in Game 1 of the 1990 Stanley Cup Final for the Edmonton Oilers remains one of the most iconic moments in NHL playoff history.
That goal, scored after sitting on the bench for most of the game, cemented his reputation as a clutch performer capable of delivering when it mattered most.
Over his 13-season NHL career, Klíma recorded 313 goals and 573 points in 786 games, ranking him among the top Czech goal scorers in league history at the time of his retirement.
He is also remembered for his smooth skating, powerful shot, and unique playing style that made him a fan favorite in Detroit, Edmonton, and Tampa Bay.
Petr Klíma passed away on May 4, 2023, at the age of 58, in his hometown of Chomutov, Czech Republic.
The cause of death was not publicly disclosed. His sudden passing shocked and saddened the hockey community worldwide.
Tributes from former teammates, fans, and hockey organizations poured in:
“Petr Klíma was not just a great player—he was a fearless pioneer.”
– Edmonton Oilers alumni statement
His sons, Kevin and Kelly Klíma, who followed his path into professional hockey, carry forward his name and legacy in the Czech Extraliga.
His impact transcends statistics; Klíma is celebrated as a hockey icon, a freedom fighter, and a role model for generations of players from Central and Eastern Europe.
Petr Klima Net Worth
Given verified earnings and standard athlete expenditures, a net worth between US$4–6 million is the most plausible estimate for Petr Klíma at the time of his passing.
FAQs
1. Who is Petr Klíma?
Petr Klíma was a Czech professional ice hockey forward, best known for his bold defection from communist Czechoslovakia in 1985 and his successful NHL career. Born on December 23, 1964, in Chomutov, he became the first Czech player to defect directly to a U.S.-based NHL team, joining the Detroit Red Wings that same year.
2. When and why did Petr Klíma defect from Czechoslovakia?
Petr Klíma defected on August 18, 1985, during a training camp in Nußdorf am Inn, West Germany, to join the Detroit Red Wings. He became the first Czech player to defect directly to a U.S.-based NHL team. His defection was motivated by a desire for freedom and to pursue an NHL career without restrictions from the communist regime.
3. What is the significance of jersey number 85 in Petr Klíma’s career?
Klíma chose to wear #85 throughout his NHL career to honor the year 1985, the year he defected to the United States and began his NHL journey with the Detroit Red Wings.
4. What was Petr Klíma’s most iconic moment in the NHL?
His most iconic moment came on May 15, 1990, when he scored the game-winning goal in triple overtime of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals for the Edmonton Oilers, despite not playing for long stretches earlier in the game.
5. Which teams did Petr Klíma play for in the NHL?
He played for the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins between 1985 and 1999.
6. Did Petr Klíma win a Stanley Cup?
Yes, he won the Stanley Cup in 1990 with the Edmonton Oilers.
7. Did Klíma play international hockey?
Yes, before defecting, Klíma played for Czechoslovakia, winning silver at the 1983 World Juniors, bronze at the 1984 World Juniors, and appearing in the 1984 Canada Cup.
8. What was his career NHL stat line?
Klíma played 786 NHL games, scoring 313 goals, 260 assists, and totaling 573 points. He also had 95 playoff games, with 28 goals and 24 assists.
9. Did Petr Klíma have children who played hockey?
Yes, he had twin sons, Kelly and Kevin Klíma, who became professional hockey players. They signed with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL) in 2018 and continued playing in Czech leagues.
10. When did Petr Klíma pass away, and how is he remembered?
He passed away on May 4, 2023, at the age of 58, in Chomutov, Czech Republic. He is remembered as a Stanley Cup hero, a pioneer for Eastern European players in the NHL, and a symbol of courage and freedom.
In Conclusion
Petr Klíma (1964–2023) was more than just a talented hockey player; he was a courageous trailblazer who defied political barriers to pursue his dream in the NHL.
From his bold defection in 1985 to becoming a Stanley Cup hero in 1990, Klíma’s career symbolized resilience, freedom, and clutch performance.
With 313 goals in 786 NHL games, he left an enduring mark on every team he played for: Detroit, Edmonton, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh.
Off the ice, he was a devoted father, with twin sons continuing his hockey legacy.
Petr Klíma’s life story remains a testament to determination, talent, and historic legacy in both Czech and NHL hockey history.
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