Former NHL Defenseman Tomas Closec has died after a skiing accident in Chechia.
Closek was 45 years old.
Closec’s wife, Barbara Clokova, confirmed her husband’s death on Instagram on Monday.
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New York Rangers Defenseman Tomas Closec (22) in action against St. Louis Blues Right Wing Scott Young (48) at Madison Square Garden. (Lu Capazola-USA Today Network)
“Yesterday, after a serious accident, my husband, my universe, my love, the father of our children and your friend Tomas Closec left us forever,” wrote by Cloca. “All of you who were around him were worth knowing. Please respect our privacy and sorrow which we are struggling now.”
The NHL Alumni Association also issued a statement on the tragic death.
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“A Defenseman, New York Rangers, selected Tomas with a 131st pick in the 1998 NHL entry draft, after three sessions with his hometown HC Slavia Prahma of Czechia U20.
“We send their deep condolences to Tomas’s friends, family and former companions during this incredibly difficult time.”
Player of Nashville hunters Tomas Closec. (Bruce Bennett Studio Getty Image Studio/Getty Image)
As mentioned, the Rangers drafted Closek in 1998, and it eventually broke into the league at the age of 20 for 43 games during the 2000-01 season. He scored a goal and received four assistance in that season.
Rangers placed a moment of silence for Closek before taking to Calgary Flames at the Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
Before dealing with Nashville poachers before the 2002-03 campaign, Closek played 95 games with Rangers from 2000-02. But he played only three games in that season due to a knee injury.
Clusac began the 2003-04 season before being re-dealt with the hunters, this time for the then Atlanta Thracers.
Through the five NHL season (141 games), Closec scored a total of two goals and assisted eight for 10 points. He later returned to his original Chechia after the 2006–07 season, where he continued to play with Slavia Prahma, HC Zalin, Billy Tgri Liberek and Oseli Trichin.
Tomas Closec (5) of Atlanta is shown in a game against Washington on Saturday, March 20, 2004. (George Bridge/MCT/Tribune News Service through Getty Image)
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Closec will complete his career in Ligue Magnus, France during the 2016-17 campaign.
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