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Uploaded By: PRESIDENT on August 26th, 2021

Jan “Souska” Suchý - Born October 10, 1944 in Německý Brod, Bohemia & Moravia – Died August 24, 2021 in Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic was a retired Czech ice Hockey defenceman.

Suchý learned to play Hockey from his hometown club Jiskra Havlíčkův Brod, playing there until the age of 19. He then played for the Czechoslovakian army team Dukla Jihlava from 1963 to 1979, during which time he helped them win seven Czechoslovakian league titles. He scored 162 goals for Dukla Jihlava in 562 games.

Suchý won the first two Golden Hockey Stick awards as Czechoslovakia's best player in 1968-69 and 1969-70 seasons.

Suchý won the scoring title in the top Czechoslovak league in 1968/69, a feat no other defenceman has done before or since.

Suchý scored more goals than any defenceman in Czech league history, becoming known as the "European Bobby Orr"

Suchý played on the Czechoslovakia National Team from 1963 to 1974, helping them win Silver Medals in 1965, 1966, 1968, 1971, 1974 and bronzes medals in 1969 and 1970 at the IIHF World Ice Hockey Championships. Named the IIHF Directorate Best Defenceman of World and European Championship in 1969 and 1971. He was also named to the tournament All-Star Team four times: 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971.

Suchý was a standout player at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France with 2 goals and 4 assists, helping the Czechs win a Olympic Silver Medal.

Suchý would play in 160 games for the Czechoslovakian National Team, scoring 44 goals.

Jan Suchý scored one of the most important goals in Czech Hockey History, when on March 21, 1969 at the world championships in Stockholm, Sweden, Suchý scored the opening goal and eventual winner vs the Soviets (2-0) in the opening round of the championships. This was the first game between the 2 countries after the Soviet Union invaded and took control of Czechoslovakia. Every Czech was watching or listening to the game on radio.

Suchý was not shy to be his own person. He happily admitted to enjoying a beer and cigarette after the game, and sometimes a shot of alcohol before the game to get the blood flowing. In 1971, he was charged with driving under the influence after a car accident and was sentenced to nine months in prison. But he served the time and after being released continued his stellar career. This violation, however, forced him to miss the 1972 World Championship when the Czechs defeated the Soviets to win an historic gold medal, and playing in the 1972 Winter Olympics.

Suchý later continued his Hockey career in other European countries, playing for WAT Stadlau (Austria) from 1979 to 1981, ESV Kaufbeuren (Germany) in 1981-82, EV Landsberg (Germany) in 1982-83 and UEC Modling (Austria) in 1983-84, retiring at the age of 40.

Jan Suchý is considered one of the best defenceman in the history of international Hockey.

Jan Suchý was inducted into the Czech Hall of Fame in 2008.

Jan Suchý was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2009.

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