The Deutscher Eishockey-Bund (DEB) mourns the loss of Dr. Ludek Bukac. The former national coach died on Saturday, April 20, 2019, at the age of 83.
Bukac looked after the German national team from 1992 to 1994. As national coach, the Czech achieved sixth place with her at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville. After his stint in Germany, he returned to his homeland and led the Czech Republic to the World Cup title as head coach in 1996. Dr. Ludek Bukac was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Hall of Fame in 2007.
During his active time as a player, he won the silver medal at the 1961 Ice Hockey World Championships and the bronze medal in 1963. As national coach of Czechoslovakia, he continued to celebrate the World Cup title in 1985, World Cup silver in 1982 and 1983, World Cup bronze in 1981 and bronze at the 1984 Winter Olympics.
Franz Reindl, DEB-President: “With Dr. Ludek Bukac, the sport of ice hockey is losing a defining personality, an excellent player and an outstanding coach. The Deutscher Eishockey-Bund and I personally also owe a lot to Ludek Bukac. His strong era as national coach brought great success and player development. In particular, great results in Lillehammer and Albertville, in Prague at the 1992 World Cup and at the home World Cup in 1993 will remain unforgettable. Our thoughts are with his family.”