Czech star forward František Ševčík, an integral part of the 1960’s teams that went toe-to-toe with the juggernaut Soviet Union, died today in Brno at the age of 75.

Ševčík, a standout player even as a teenager, joined his hometown HC Kometa Brno in 1961, spending his entire professional career with the team, helming right wing on a formidable line with Jaroslav Jiřík and Zdeněk Kepák, winning the Czech Extraliga championship five times and European Cup three times before leaving the team in 1973.

Internationally, Ševčík joined the senior Czechoslovak team in 1964, playing in his first major tournament at the 1965 World Championships. Ševčík would suit up for three more Worlds, medaling in all four tournaments (Silver in 1965 & 1966, Bronze in 1969 & 1970). But his biggest accomplishment was at the 1968 Grenoble Olympics, helping lead the Czechs to an unexpected Silver medal over a juggernaut Soviet squad with a goal and assist in a 5-4 win, earning him tournament All-Star team credentials.

Throughout the course of his career, Ševčík held the IHLC four times, all in a two year span, starting at the 1968 Olympics, with two titles at the 1969 Worlds and one on a 1970 Canadian tour, the end of which saw Canada depart from international hockey until the 1972 Summit Series. Our condolences go out to the Ševčík family, as well as the extended hockey community, on the loss of this fallen star.

Photo Credit: HC Kometa Brno – IIHF – HHOF – IOC