Stanislav Konopásek

Infobox Ice Hockey Player

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position = Winger
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played_for = LTC Praha (1935-1950) Tatra Smíchov (1955-1956) Sparta Praha (1956-1962) Motorlet Praha (1962-1963)
nationality = CZE
nationality_2 =
birth_date = birth date|1923|4|18|mf=y
birth_place = Hořovice, CS
death_date = death date and age|2008|3|6|1923|4|18|mf=n
death_place = Prague, CR
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career_start = 1935
career_end = 1963
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Stanislav Konopásek (April 18 1923 – March 6 2008) was a Czech professional ice hockey player.

Career

Playing career

Born in Hořovice, Konopásek played as a winger when he was drafted for LTC Praha in 1935, whom he would play with until 1950. cite news |first=Davide|last=Tuniz|title=Czech hockey hero dies at 94|url=http://www.eurohockey.net/news/story.html?id=20080307120319czechhockeyherodiesat94|work= Euro Hockey |publisher=|date=2008-03-07 |accessdate=2008-03-15] He also played on the national team, winning the 1947 and 1949 World Championships and a silver medal at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Konopasek himself scored the winning goal that denied Canada the 1949 Championships. cite news |first=Tom|last=Hawthorn|title=Stanislav Konopasek: 84 (Czech Hockey Star Was Political Prisoner) |url=http://www.eurohockey.net/news/story.html?id=20080307120319czechhockeyherodiesat94|work= The Globe and Mail |publisher=|date=2008-03-14 |accessdate=2008-03-15]

In the 1948 Olympics, Konopasek also scored the winning goal in a 3-2 win over the United States, tying Canada's record of 7-0-1. They eventually lost to Canada by a single goal.

In 1950, as they were about to get on an airplane to defend their World Championship title in London, he and several of his teammates were charged with trying to leave Czechoslovakia and assaulting state police. Konopasek was sentenced to 12 years in prison for "slandering the republic", later reduced to 5. Other teammates received sentences ranging from six months to 15 years. During his time behind bars he was frequently tortured and accused of being a spy. cite news |first=|last=|title=Czech legend Stanislav Konopasek dies, age 84|url=http://www.hockeyway.com/news/2008/March/6/ice-hockey-czech-legend-stanislav-konopasek-dies-age-84/|work= Hockeyway.com |publisher=|date=|accessdate=2008-03-15]

After getting out of prison, he then played for Tatra Smíchov (1955-1956), Sparta Praha (1956-1962), and Motorlet Praha (1962-1963), closing his international career with 69 goals in 50 games.

Coaching career

After finishing his playing career in ice hockey he coached Motorlet Praha (1963-1965), GKS Katowice (1965-1968), and Sparta Praha (1968-1973). GKS Katowice, a Polish team, won a national championship in 1968 while coached by Konopásek.

Death

Stanislav Konopásek died in Prague on March 6, 2008, following a long illness. [Several sources claim he was 94 at death; however, [http://www.databaseolympics.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=KONOPSTA01 databaseOlympics.com] correctly gives his birthdate at April 18, 1923, making him actually 84.] He was survived by his wife, Anna, and a son.

References