Horrible experiences keep waking him up from his dreams. Despite this, hockey player Václav Nedomanský, the best scorer in the national team’s history, is living to be 80 years old today in the USA. He is sparing with interviews, which is why Blesk chose from his memories in the book My Most Famous Escape.
Friends also brought!
“We had a bug in the house, they even put a bug in my car. The communists slandered me, they deliberately made the public think that we live like the Rothschilds. It was later revealed in the Pardubice archives who was very actively reporting on me to the State Security. Father’s friend and director of the Prokš stadium in Hodonín. My former friend Ján Starší (†85), who promoted from Slovan to the national team. And his colleague Karel Gut (†86). People who moved around me and pretended to be friends.”
John the Elder • Photo by Profimedia
From Kindergarten to Canada
In 1974, Nedomanský decided to leave Bolshevik Czechoslovakia. He used the StB trick that he was going on a legal holiday in Switzerland. But no one was allowed to know about the emigration, not even the parents! “My three-year-old son went to kindergarten and had a small hockey stick that was sold as a souvenir. He walked with her and explained: I’m going to Canada! Maybe he heard us at home,” describes »Big Nedo« in a biography published last year.
His friend Richard Farda (78) was the first to go through the customs crossing in Mikulov, who told the customs officials to let Nedomanský go and not cause problems. And the celebration of overcoming the Iron Curtain? Paradoxically, a toast to the Russian sect of Sovetskoye Igristoya.
Celebrant Václav Nedomanský • Photo by Profimedia
They “buried” me in the car!
How the native of Hodonín (not only on the ice) hated the Soviets! “In 1968, they were interested in my Simca car. That they say they need him to transfer officers. It didn’t even occur to me to meet our “saviors”. So I hid the car in the ice rink and took out part of the engine just to be safe so no one could drive off with it. After emigrating, they spread the rumor that I killed myself in a car accident.’
With the national team, he fought many fierce battles against the USSR. • Photo by Profimedia
The painful loss of illusions
Alan Eagleson (90) is nicknamed the »Hockey Czar«. The Canadian lawyer and founder of the overseas players’ association acted as an agent for, for example, Bobby Orr (75) and Nedomansky. Their dispute ended in court in the summer of 1984: “I decided to sue him for negligence and emotional harm. He proclaimed that I spent the money I earned like a drunken sailor.’
The Czech left as a loser, poorer by 250 thousand Canadian dollars (about 4 million CZK at today’s exchange rate) for a lawyer and with a »painful loss of illusions«.
Alan Eagleson • Photo by Profimedia
The woman and the money disappeared in Hawaii
He spent 22 years with his first wife Věra, but… “She gradually started to goof off and spend without us agreeing on it. She forged my signatures,” today’s birthday boy recalls the six-year divorce proceedings in Karel Knap’s book.
With the tunneled finances, she disappeared in Hawaii, she also had her daughter under its influence. They later parted ways with their son. “Not everything will go as we would like. But one must not whine!’
Czech great Václav Nedomanský with his first wife Věra and NHL superstar Bobby Orr • Photo Facebook movie Big Ned
Everything went well for us
One of his best friends from the hockey environment was the legendary coach Ivan Hlinka (†54). “We spent three days together in Litvínov. They brought us beer and goulash from the restaurant in the winter. Everything went well for us. Ivan took us to his house at night and woke his first wife to cook for us.’
Nedomanský was friends with a famous coach. • Photo by Profimedia
Bulldog will
Nedomanský had a talent for all sports: he beat the later Wimbledon winner Jan Kodeš (78) at the Pardubice Juniors. “How could you? You almost didn’t know how to backhand,” asked the famous tennis player. “I snatched it with the will of a bulldog. I chased every ball.”
Jan Kodes • Photo by Profimedia
Fear for life
At age 68, while working as a scout for Nashville, he went for a colonoscopy: “You have a large malignant tumor in your colon, Mr. Nedomansky!” Thanks to a seven-hour operation and 35 days in the hospital, when he lost from one hundred to 68 kg, he defeated the third stage of cancer. But his second wife Marcela admitted: “When I saw your condition, I was afraid you wouldn’t make it.”
Václav Nedomanský in action in the jersey of the Czechoslovak national team • Photo Archives of Sport
Dad is a badass!
In 2019, Václav Nedomanský was inducted into the Toronto Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF). However, he forgot to thank his beloved Marcela during the ceremony, so he returned to the spotlight. “Sorry! I hope to get dinner at home. I love you and appreciate everything you have done for me. I also apologize to my children Vašek, Victoria and Julia. I like you… Dad is a badass.”
Celebrant Václav Nedomanský • Photo by Profimedia
Celebrant Václav Nedomanský
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