Tomáš Klouček, who spent five years in the NHL and two with the Rangers, died on Sunday after a skiing accident in his native Czechia.
He was 45.
Barbara Klouckova, Klouček’s wife, confirmed the news on her Instagram account, saying in a story: “In less than five minutes, my life turned upside down and everything was different.”
Klouček, born in Prague, was drafted by the Rangers as a 19-year-old in the fifth round of the 1998 NHL Draft after three strong years with HC Slavia Praha Jr.
After coming to North America and spending a year each in the QMJHL and the AHL, he made his NHL debut with the Rangers during the 2000-01 season, playing 43 games, recording five points (one goal, four assists) and averaging a tick over 16 minutes of ice time per game.
Klouček’s promising rookie season ended in Atlanta when he tore both the ACL and MCL in his left knee.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound defenseman suited up in 52 more games the following season after coming back from surgery and added a goal and three more assists.
“He was a great kid. Great attitude. Gentle soul,” Mark Messier told The Post’s Larry Brooks over text following the defenseman’s death. “Horrible news.”
In December 2002, after spending the first part of the year with AHL Hartford, the Rangers sent Kloucek to the Predators as part of a package to acquire goaltender Mike Dunham.
He played three more seasons and spent time with both the Predators and Thrashers.
Klouček ended his NHL career with 141 games played, two goals and eight assists.
He later spent time playing in the KHL, France and Czechia.
“I also thank you very much for the huge outpouring of support, I appreciate it very much,” Klouckova said. “It is terribly difficult and indescribable… but it is amazing to see how many people [Klouček] had around him who loved him.”
