When it came out in 1986,A small encyclopedia of ice hockey differed from the sports publications of those times in that it also featured emigrants.So for the first time, fans could read how Václav Nedomanský, Peter Šťastný or jiří Kocht fared abroad.

The slogans dedicated to them ended wiht the sentence: He left the Czechoslovakia illegally. Which was factually nonsense.

They left the Republic wholly legally,on a valid passport. Whether they went with the club and the national team, or with the family on vacation.They just refused to come back. But none of them secretly swam the Danube or flew to Bavaria on a rogal.

One of the few exceptions to whom the words about illegally leaving the Czechoslovakia would fit was Košice forward Miroslav ihnačák.

40 years ago, on December 28, 1985, he arrived in Vienna in the trunk of a car with a diplomatic badge, to then continue on to Canada, where he longed to fulfill his dream of the NHL and a blue and white jersey with the Toronto maple Leafs logo.

Too many relatives in the West

Anyone who wanted to become a prosperous representative in communist Czechoslovakia needed to have an acceptable personnel profile in addition to talent, diligence and health. Miroslav Ihnačák lacked the latter quite fundamentally.

The fact that he came from a peasant family did not matter so much in the normalization years. Worse, he had relatives in the West. Or more precisely – too many relatives.Grandfather went to the USA during the Great Depression, aunt after february 1948, three of Ihnačák’s siblings followed in the 1960s.

although Miroslav was one of the talents of the Czechoslovak hockey, he was only allowed to travel abroad if the game was played on the territory of the RVHP.

In 1979,he became European under-18 champion (the

On the other hand,in Toronto,they were well aware of his performances. General manager Gerry McNamara had a soft spot for Czech hockey players, and when he understood that he would not succeed in luring Vladimír Růžička to escape, whom he also drafted in 1982, he focused on Miroslav Ihnačák.

The problem was how to get him across the border. a secret route through Austria was prepared. For a bribe of 150 thousand Canadian dollars for all involved.

Ihnačák first arrived by train from Košice to Bratislava, where he met the traffickers. “They thought it out well. A diplomatic car came for me, I got in and in the trunk they took me across the border to Vienna,” he told in an interview for The memory of the nation.

There,Toronto’s general manager was waiting for him. But in scenes that continued to resemble a spy thriller.

He arrived in Vienna on the day when Palestinian terrorists attacked a group of Israeli tourists in the check-in hall. Balance: 2 dead, 39 injured. The city was in shock, other connections were canceled or diverted.

at least McNamara did not have to worry about the situation at the Vienna airport in the following days. Because he found out on the spot that although ihnačák’s escape through the Iron curtain had been orchestrated, his passage from Austria to Canada was not guaranteed.

Toronto traditionally used to be the center of the Czechoslovak exile communities in Canada and it also applied to hockey players. Seven of them signed a contract with the Maple Leafs in the 1980s, six played in their NHL jersey.

He mostly started with Miroslav Fryčer in the second line. He scored 66 points in his first season, a rookie record until the Auston Matthews era. After leaving the NHL, he still played in Switzerland and Germany. After the end of his career, he trained in Germany, then went on to become a scout. Now he works for Washington.

Miroslav Frycer

He tried to contact the embassy,but it was functioning more symbolically during the holidays. When he got to the officials, they didn’t even want to hear about the priority transfer. Ihnačák was for them no name. Like everyone else,they have to go to a refugee camp,only then everything will start to be resolved within the normal immigration procedures.

As many as two natives of Czechoslovakia helped.

Otto Jelinek, Canada’s minister of sport and former world figure skating champion, tried to move the case to the highest places. In turn, the influential journalist George (Juraj) Gross contributed to the success of the event with a great story published in the newspaper The Toronto Sun.

their argument that the fugitive hockey player is still in Vienna, a city only a few tens of kilometers from the Czechoslovak border and riddled with KGB and StB agents, and thus at risk of kidnapping, took over.

Ihnačák received the desired stamp from the Canadian government with a special permit to enter the contry, and on the second day of January 1986 he headed to the Vienna airport. Not alone. “I had security and five cars drove out of the apartment. Two in front of me, two behind me and I was in the middle one. There were soldiers from the embassy and Austrian police with machine guns. It was like an action movie scene,” depicted the way.

Then he boarded a plane and traveled via London and Vancouver to Toronto, where his brother was already waiting for him.

But it was only a partial happy ending.

He weighs in with the number 27.

Just the amount of money the Maple Leafs invested in the running

The Ill-Fated NHL Journey of Miroslav Ihnačák

“When I saw it, I was scratching my head. This can’t turn out well, I thought. And I was right,” recalled forward Miroslav Fryčer, one of three other emigrants on the team. “Miro was put under enormous pressure from the first moment and never came out of it.”

It didn’t help Ihnačák that, after arriving in Toronto, he wanted to improve the contract he had already signed with the Maple Leafs in Vienna (he had to be admitted to Canada). an angry Ballard never forgot it. He hated the communists and took it as ungratefulness from the man he had just helped escape from the wire country.

Coach Dan Maloney also reacted emotionally,ordering the custodian to throw Ihnačák’s belongings out of the cabin into the corridor.

Thus, he did not have his premiere until eight days after his arrival. In the game against Buffalo, he started in the Czechoslovak line with Fryčer and his brother Peter, and even tho Toronto lost 7:9, he could be satisfied. He scored his first goal.

The journalist was understandably interested in how he likes the tough game in the NHL. “It was more of a stampede. Like here in Czechoslovakia in the line for meat,” he amused them.

In the next match, however, he got to know a completely different face of the o

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Miroslav Ihnačák: A Hockey Journey Across Continents

Miroslav Ihnačák’s hockey career is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and a deep love for the game. From his early days in czechoslovakia to a successful professional career spanning multiple continents, Ihnačák’s story is one of overcoming obstacles and embracing new opportunities.

Early Life and Progress in Czechoslovakia

Born in Czechoslovakia, Ihnačák began his hockey journey in a country steeped in hockey tradition. He honed his skills within the robust Czech youth system, developing a reputation as a skilled and steadfast player. His early training emphasized essential skills and tactical awareness, laying a strong foundation for his future success. He quickly rose through the ranks, demonstrating a natural talent for the sport.

Moving to North America and the NHL Dream

The collapse of the Soviet bloc opened doors for Czech players to pursue opportunities in North America. Ihnačák seized this chance, embarking on a journey to Canada and eventually the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1990, he faced the challenges of adapting to a new culture and a faster, more physical style of play.

• He played 43 games for the Maple Leafs over two seasons.
• He also spent time in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the St. John’s maple Leafs,gaining valuable experience.
• The transition wasn’t easy, but Ihnačák’s work ethic and dedication allowed him to compete at a high level.

A European Career: Success and Leadership

While his NHL career was relatively brief,Ihnačák found significant success returning to Europe. He became a prominent figure in several European leagues, including the Czech Extraliga, the Swiss National League, and the German Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). he consistently demonstrated his scoring ability and leadership qualities.

ihnačák’s european career was marked by several key achievements:

He won championships in both the Czech Republic and Germany.

He was a consistent point producer, ofen leading his teams in scoring.

He earned a reputation as a respected veteran and a valuable teammate.