Roman Čechmánek NHL Player Has Tragically Passed Away
In a somber announcement, Den�k Sport reported the passing of Roman Čechmánek, the former Philadelphia Flyers goaltender.
At 52, Čechmánek's journey in the NHL saw him play 212 games after being drafted in the sixth round of the 2000 NHL Draft, 34 spots ahead of hockey legend Henrik Lundqvist.
Remarkably, Čechmánek was 29 at the time of his draft, already boasting seven years of professional hockey experience in Czechia. His immediate impact in the NHL was evident, with a dazzling debut on October 17th, playing 59 games in his inaugural season with an impressive 35-15-6 record and .921 save percentage.
Despite missing rookie status, his performance would have ranked second in modern-era Flyers goalies, just behind Doug Favell's .931.
Consistency defined his sophomore season with another .921 save percentage over 46 games, going 24-13-6. However, it was his third season that stood out, achieving a career-best .925 save percentage and a 33-15-10 record.
Winning the William M. Jennings award for the fewest goals allowed, he ranked seventh in Vezina voting against formidable competition.
Despite a successful stint with the Los Angeles Kings in his final NHL season, Čechmánek returned to Czechia, playing in various European leagues before retiring in 2007-08. Notably, he achieved a career-high .948 save percentage in the 2006-07 season in Czechia's top league.
Though his NHL career was relatively short, Čechmánek left a lasting impression, always capturing attention on the ice. Pro Hockey Rumors extends condolences to his family, friends, and the hockey communities in Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
