RIP Tomáš Klouček

[Trotsnj]

Larry Brooks detailing the fight back in 2002.

KLOUCEK’S NOSE OFFICIALLY BROKEN

So how do Kerry Fraser, Ray Scapinello and the NHL’s hockey operations department feel today in the wake of Thursday’s surgery on Tomas Kloucek that might keep the Ranger defenseman out…

nypost.com

 

[Synergy27]

f*** this man. I loved that guy. Brutal news.

 

[nyr2k2]

Larry Brooks detailing the fight back in 2002.

KLOUCEK’S NOSE OFFICIALLY BROKEN

So how do Kerry Fraser, Ray Scapinello and the NHL’s hockey operations department feel today in the wake of Thursday’s surgery on Tomas Kloucek that might keep the Ranger defenseman out…

nypost.com

The season prior he had a terrible knee injury where IIRC he tore both the ACL and MCL and possibly did some other stuff as well. I'd say it was a miracle that he came back the next season at all, but there were reports at the time that once he came back his knee was still causing him a lot of pain and problems. I think that more than anything is what led to him never really getting back to the level he showed his rookie season.

 

[FoxysExpensiveNYDigs]

I also remember him as a good hard-hitting defenseman. Some may also fill-in details, but I recall he was sucker-punched by Yashin in a brawl during a game against the Islanders; I think he missed a week with a broken nose and was never really the same after that.

Maybe during this? Doesnt look like he got hit too bad though. I thought his knee injuries were his downfall. Also after watching this, damn I miss that crazy bastard Theo Fleury.

 

[Boris Zubov]

I was at that game...the bigger news at the time was Scapinello tackling Fleury.

Regardless it's all meaningless now. RIP Tomas.

 

[markymarc1215]

Loved him as a player. Was a rare rookie that made an immediate impact during a dark time dominated by washed up defenseman playing for the $$$ with the Rangers. I thought he might be our next Jeff Beukeboom. Sadly wasn't meant to be. RIP Tomas Kloucek

 

[bobbop]

So sad to hear. Great player who was never the same after the knee injury. Devastating hitter.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

f*** this man. I loved that guy. Brutal news.

Commas, lol.

 

[n8]

KLOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUU

 

[TopShelfSnipes]

Oh man that's so sad. Kloucek was going to be a beast, if not for that terrible knee injury I think he was going to have a long NHL career. My condolences to his family.

This. That knee injury altered the trajectory of his entire career. His puck moving game was coming along, his hitting was ferocious, and his fighting was solid. He had all the hallmarks of being a late career Scott Stevens type for the Rangers it seemed.

RIP Tomáš. Sbohem.

 

[CTRanger]

Kloucek was one of the few bright spots in the dark ages. He was an absolute truck. A devastating hitter, who could skate and move the puck. He was on his way to potentially being a top pair dman before the career changing knee injury. Only a few years after Cherneski broke his leg. Rongo luck.