Czech hockey great Karel Gut dies at 86
PRAGUE (AP) – Karel Gut, a high-scoring defenseman who also coached Czechoslovakia to two world ice hockey titles and an Olympic silver medal, has died. He was 86.
The Czech ice hockey federation says Gut died Monday after an unspecified, long-term illness.
Known for his offensive play, Gut scored 34 goals in his 114 international games for Czechoslovakia and was named the best defenseman at the 1955 world championships. He won three bronze medals with the national team at major tournaments but became more successful as coach.
Gut was in charge of the national team from 1973-79, winning world titles in 1976 and ’77 and a silver medal at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck.