Jiří Kochta, the Czechoslovak winger who was a member of the historic 1972 World Championship Gold medal squad, and would capture eight international medals in his career, has passed away at the age of 78.

Kochta made his pro debut with Dukla Jihlava in 1966, capturing two Extraliga titles in 1967 and 1968, along with the Spengler Cup in 1968, in his first three seasons with Dukla. Kochta would transfer to Sparta Praha that same season, where he would spend his last eleven Extraliga seasons, winning the league scoring title in 1970. Kochta would transfer to the East German league in 1979, spending two seasons with EV Landshut before transferring to the lower divisions for four seasons, retiring in 1986. Kochta would begin coaching as a player-coach in Germany in 1983, spending nearly two decades coaching in Germany, Switzerland and Italy, ending his coaching career in 2007.

A Prague native, Kochta first joined the Czechoslovak squad in 1967, appearing at his first of seven World Championship appearances. In his appearances between 1967-75, Kochta would capture three Silver (1971, 1974, 1975) and two Bronze (1970, 1973) medals, but his crowning achievement came as part of the 1972 Gold medal winning team in his hometown, just Czechoslovakia’s third world title, won against the hated Soviet Union, who had invaded Prague less than four years earlier. Kochta would also appear at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics, capturing Silver and Bronze medals, respectively. Kochta also participated in Czechoslovakia’s post-Summit Series tilt against Canada in September 1972, scoring in the 3-3 draw.

Our condolences go out to the Kochta family, as well as the extended hockey community across the former Czechoslovakia on the loss of this national hockey hero.

Photo Credit: Libor Stejskal – IIHF – HHOF – IOC