Former NHL player dead at 45 after tragic ski accident
Former NHL defenceman Tomas Kloucek died earlier this week after a skiing accident in Czechia at the age of 45.
Kloucek’s wife, Barbara Klouckova, confirmed the heartbreaking news through her Instagram story, as reported by NHL.com.
“Yesterday, after a grievous accident, my husband, my universe, my love, dad of our children and your friend Tomas Kloucek abandoned us forever,” Barbara wrote. “All of you who were around him deserve to know. Please respect our privacy and grief we are grappling with right now.”
Kloucek spent one season in the QMJHL with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles before making the jump to professional hockey. The 6-foot-3 blue-liner split the majority of his pro career in North America between the AHL and NHL, logging a combined 141 NHL games with the New York Rangers, Nashville Predators, and the Atlanta Thrashers.
Last night, Madison Square Garden had a tribute honouring Kloucek before things got underway between the Rangers and Calgary Flames.
MSG pays tribute to the late Tomas Kloucek ā¤ļø pic.twitter.com/x0sJd2XzIF
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 18, 2025
In his 141 NHL games, Kloucek scored two goals and eight points while recording 250 penalty minutes. He returned to Europe to continue his pro career following the 2006-07 season, spending time in the KHL and several other leagues before retiring after the 2016-17 campaign.