LITVINOV, Czech Republic – Frantisek Prochazka passed away in hospital on Friday after a long illness. The defenceman won four medals in international play.

Prochazka was known as a defenceman with great offensive abilities in his native country. In 95 games for the Czechoslovak national team he scored 14 goals and won the bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics in Albertville and three IIHF World Championship bronze medals (1989, 1990, 1992).

Prochazka spent most of his career with HC Litvinov, 1980-1990 and then again as team captain in the 1997/1998 season. In 344 Extraliga games for Litvinov he notched 144 points (77 goals, 67 assists).

After the fall of the Iron Curtain Prochazka went on to play in Germany (Freiburg, Weisswasser, Hassfurt, Dresden), for Jokerit Helsinki, in Milan, Chamonix and for the Ayr Scottish Eagles.

He ended his player career at age 38 and was later a coach of Czech minor-league team Teplice.

His last farewell is scheduled for 7 May at 13:00 at the cemetery of Litvinov.