Petr Klima passes away at 58

[Albatros]

One of the most talented players of his time albeit also one with at times questionable work ethic, very memorable either way so it's sad to hear.

 

[Gee Wally]

Way too young.

R.I.P.

 

[shaner8989]

Awfully young. Seems to be happening way too often lately.

Condolences to the family. Rip

 

[McRpro]

Klima had so many "off ice issues" that after he scored 32-goals and 48-points in 62 games with the Oilers in 1992-93; which made him the teams leading goal scorer and leading point getter... they traded him to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

For nothing.

Imagine a 32-goal scorer, who doesn't have an atrocious, albatross contract, being traded for future considerations.

Imagine a team trading way their leading scorer, for nothing.

I thought this as well for a long time. A few years ago I brought up this trade in a thread and someone linked me to a site where it said the Future Considerations turned into a 3rd round pick, which was used to select some guy that never made the NHL.

RIP Petr.

 

[archangel2]

f*** this sucks

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

The whole backstory to that goal was Petr Klima getting benched in the 2nd period, and not allowed back in the game until 3OT. Meaning he spent an entire game of playing time just sitting there watching like a backup goalie. Including two OT periods, in the Finals, in Boston Garden. It must have been excruciating and humiliating.

By 1:30am, everyone else was dead on their skates. Klima was the only fresh player left.

Honestly didn't know that.

The goal was 3 years before I was born, so it's not entirely my fault.

 

[jcs0218]

Klima had well-known and well-documented substance abuse issues during his career.

They probably caused him to age quicker than the average person, which may explain why he passed away at the age of 58.

RIP to Klima. He had so much skill when he applied himself to the game.

 

[zar]

RIP.

Super offensively talented hockey player. One of the most memorable and important goals in Oiler history.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

58 is so young. I remember this guy quite well. RIP, Petr.

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

None of the Czech sources I could find really say anything about cause of death, so it seems like whatever it is either is totally surprising or it was very private.

 

[Reality Czech]

That's something I was always intrigued by myself. When productive players get traded away for seemingly nothing Sather did the same thing with Geoff Courtnall- trade him after a 36 goal campaign for Greg Adams.

Besides the goal, the other two things I always remember about Klima are that goofy helmet and he, Probert, and Chiasson partying all night before Game 5 in 88

I read Probert's book and he considered Petr Klima one of his closest friends. Seems like he was a popular teammate and well-liked despite being a bit of a wild card on and off the ice. His sons are currently playing in the Czech league. RIP

 

[TheTotalPackage]

He was a few years before my time as a hockey fan, so I never saw him play, but I remember having his hockey card when I was little.

Too young. Rest in peace.

Holy cow...this just took me back 30 years and right back to my collecting days. I know I still have this card somewhere.

Sucks. Far too young.

 

[ichbinkanadier]

I read Probert's book and he considered Petr Klima one of his closest friends. Seems like he was a popular teammate and well-liked despite being a bit of a wild card on and off the ice. His sons are currently playing in the Czech league. RIP

I'm sure he gained instant respect, defecting at such a young age. That couldn't have been easy. I always liked the fact that he wore 85 for that reason

 

[Hockeyholic]

Rip. I think he scored on a penalty shot against Toronto in the postseason too.

It's crazy to think that an overtime goal in game one of a SCF would end a series. But...that is what happened. Boston fell apart after that.

Big question is, does Edmonton still win that cup if Wesley buries it in Overtime. We will never know.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

RIP

First Czech to defect to NA to play in NHL

Was an enigma in a way, Sorta a Kovalev before Kovalev

Flashed so much talent but was inconsistent.

He was one of the better players on TB teams near end of his career and helped them reach first postseason in franchise history

A very enjoyable player to watch

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Omg nooo……RIP Petr….

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

I grew up watching Klima as a member of the Dead Wings. So much fun to watch and loved the Euro mullet hanging out of the JOFA bucket.

RIP Petr

 

[Devonator]

Oh man....that is my age.....he was a good one....

 

[9911]

First Czech to defect to NA to play in NHL

Was an enigma in a way, Sorta a Kovalev before Kovalev

Flashed so much talent but was inconsistent.

He was one of the better players on TB teams near end of his career and helped them reach first postseason in franchise history

A very enjoyable player to watch

Peter and Anton Stastny defected in 1980. Klima was the first Czech to play for an American NHL team.

 

[Bruce Granville]

Kurri to Klima, he shoots…3-2 in 3OT.

RIP.

 

[BB79]

58 is not old. I'm curious what caused his death.

Same here. All I could gather is that it was unexpected and some people speculate that his history of cadiac issues may have something to do with it.

RIP Petr, I'll always remember him as an Oiler for beating my Bruins in 90. Way too young

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

RIP to the highest rated Edmonton Oiler on NHL '94.

 

[Frosty415]

So young..sad

RIP

 

[Pierre Larouche]

I grew up watching Klima as a member of the Dead Wings. So much fun to watch and loved the Euro mullet hanging out of the JOFA bucket.

RIP Petr

what a great commercial!

 

[Soundwave]

Rest easy. I will never forget that OT goal in 1990, one of the greatest non-Gretzky/Messier/Coffey/McDavid/etc. moments in the history of the Oilers franchise.