Miroslav Dvořák (ice hockey) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Miroslav Dvořák |
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| Born | 11 October 1951 Hluboká nad Vltavou, Czechoslovakia |
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| Died | 12 June 2008 (aged 56) České Budějovice, Czech Republic |
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| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | ||
| Weight | 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb) | ||
| Position | Defense | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Philadelphia Flyers HC České Budějovice ASD Dukla Jihlava |
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| National team |  Czechoslovakia |
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| NHL Draft | 46th overall, 1982 Philadelphia Flyers |
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| Playing career | 1959–1989 | ||
Miroslav Dvořák (born October 11, 1951 – died June 12, 2008) was a famous ice hockey player from Czechoslovakia. He was a defenseman, which means he helped protect his team's goal. Miroslav played three seasons in the NHL for the Philadelphia Flyers from 1982 to 1985.
Most of his career, from 1969 to 1989, was spent with HC České Budějovice in the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League. He also played for the Czechoslovak national team. With his national team, he won gold medals at the 1976 and 1977 World Championships. He also earned six silver medals at other World Championships and a silver medal at the 1976 Winter Olympics.
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Miroslav's Hockey Journey
Miroslav Dvořák began his ice hockey journey in 1967. He started with the junior team of HC České Budějovice. By 1970, he joined the senior team. In the same year, he was named the best defender at the World Junior Championships in Sweden.
Playing for Army Teams
During his time in the military, Miroslav played for the army team Dukla Jihlava. He spent two seasons there. After his military service, he returned to HC České Budějovice.
International Success
Miroslav was a key player for the Czechoslovak national ice hockey team. He won eight medals at the Ice Hockey World Championships between 1974 and 1983. He also represented Czechoslovakia in the 1976 and 1981 Canada Cup tournaments. In addition, he played in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Joining the NHL
The Philadelphia Flyers picked Miroslav in the 3rd round of the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. He then played three seasons in North America for the Flyers in the National Hockey League. He had to wait until he was in his thirties to play in the NHL. This was because sports rules in Czechoslovakia during the communist era did not allow players under 30 to play overseas. He stopped playing professional ice hockey after the 1988–89 season. He then returned to Czechoslovakia to play for HC České Budějovice.
Miroslav's Achievements
Miroslav Dvořák had a very successful career, especially with the Czechoslovak national team.
| Medal record | ||
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Representing  Czechoslovakia |
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| Olympics | ||
| Silver | 1976 Innsbruck | |
| World Championships | ||
| Gold | 1976 Austria | |
| Gold | 1977 Poland | |
| Silver | 1974 Finland | |
| Silver | 1975 West Germany | |
| Silver | 1978 Czechoslovakia | |
| Silver | 1979 Soviet Union | |
| Silver | 1982 Finland | |
| Silver | 1983 Germany | |
Later Life and Passing
Miroslav Dvořák passed away in the Czech Republic on June 12, 2008. He was 56 years old. He had been battling throat cancer for a long time. At his funeral, his family played "New World Symphony" by the famous composer Antonín Dvořák.
