Petr Klima, popular former Red Wings goal-scorer, dies at age 58

Detroit — Petr Klima, one of the most popular players in his era with the Red Wings, died unexpectedly in his native Czechia Thursday at the age of 58.

News reports out of Czechia, and confirmed by the Czech Ice Hockey Federation, say Klima was found in his home in Chomutov, with no further details.

Klima was drafted in 1983 in the fifth round (86th overall) by the Red Wings and made his NHL debut two years later.

Klima, 20 at the time, defected to North America during the summer of 1985, a plan orchestrated by the Wings' organization. He was the first Czech player — at the time the Czech was a communist country — to defect to a U.S.-based team at the time.

"He (Klima) was going across the border," Ken Holland, then a scout for the Wings, said many years later of the escape plot. "(Wings executive Nick) Polano was over there (Czech Republic) and he made some contacts and ultimately these people got Klima to defect. So they put Klima in a fake trunk and they drove across the border."

To commemorate his coming to the United States, Klima always wore sweater No. 85, the year he defected.

Klima was one of the Wings' most popular players during his time in Detroit, but his off-ice issues ultimately ended his Wings career. His problem with alcohol led to one suspension, and numerous headlines of his off-ice antics.

Klima played in 306 games in parts of six seasons in Detroit, scoring 130 goals with 93 assists. Klima ended his career with a 13-game comeback with the Wings in 1998-99, scoring one goal.

"The Detroit Red Wings are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Petr Klima, who passed away at the age of 58 in Chomutov, Czechia," the Wings organization said in a statement. "Klima spent the first five seasons of his career with Detroit (1985-90) before returning to the Red Wings in his final NHL season in 1998-99, logging a total of 223 points in 306 games.

"The Red Wings organization offers its heartfelt condolences to the Klima family during this difficult time."

The Wings dealt Klima in a blockbuster trade with Edmonton on Nov. 2, 1989. The Wings dealt Joe Murphy, Adam Graves and Jeff Sharples for Jimmy Carson, Kevin McClelland and a fifth-round pick in the 1991 NHL Draft.

Klima played in 786 NHL games between the Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins over 13 years. Klima scored 313 goals and had 260 assists for 573 points, and won the Stanley Cup with Edmonton in 1990.

Klima scored 28 goals in 95 career NHL playoff games, with the none bigger during Edmonton's Stanley Cup run.

Klima scored one of the NHL's most talked-about goals during that 1990 Stanley Cup Finals series, playing against the Boston Bruins. Klima scored the wining goal in triple overtime in Game 1, the longest game in NHL Stanley Cup Finals history. Ironically, Klima was benched for a majority of that game, but was back in the lineup for triple overtime.

"We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Oilers alum Petr Klima & extend our condolences to his family & all loved ones," the Oilers wrote on Twitter. "The forward scored one of the most iconic goals in team history, tallying the triple-OT winner in Game 1 of the 1990 Stanley Cup Final vs. Boston."

The NHL also issued a statement upon Klima's death.

"The NHL mourns the passing of Czech legend Petr Klima," the league said in a statement. "Klima helped the Oilers win the 1990 Stanley Cup while scoring a memorable triple-overtime winner in Game 1 of the Final. Our sympathies are with his family, friends and many fans."

Klima’s two sons, Kevin and Kelly, play in the top Czech league. Both young players played for Tucson in the American League in 2018-19.

Mazur on Team USA

Red Wings prospect Carter Mazur was named Thursday to Team USA, as USA Hockey announced its initial 22 players to the roster.

Mazur, a Jackson native, had 22 goals and 15 assists in 40 games in his sophomore season at Denver before turning pro with the Wings. Mazur had three goals and three assists in six games with minor league affiliate Grand Rapids.

Mazur, 21, was the Wings' 2021 third-round draft pick (70th overall). He's expected to challenge for a roster spot next training camp.

The world championships take place May 12-28 in Tampere, Finland and Riga, Latvia.

ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @tkulfan