Petr Bříza

Petr Bříza was a goalkeeper from Prague, who first played in the Czech league in 1987-88 with HC Česke Budějovice. He remained with that club for two years and then moved to the Finnish league, playing two years with Lukko Rauma. From 1993-99, Bříza played in the German Elite League with EV Landshut, before returning to his native Czech Republic, finishing out his career with six years with ČKD Praha. His best year was likely 2003-04, when he had six shutouts in 49 games, with a goals against average of only 2.01 for ČKD Praha. In 1992 he also was awarded the Urpo Ylönen Trophy as the best goaltender in the Finnish League. He has since gone into coaching, working as the goaltender coach for ČKD Praha. Bříza won bronze medals with Czechoslovakia at the 1990, 1992 and 1993 World Championships, and was named the best goaltender at the 1994 Worlds. He also represented Czechoslovakia at the 1987 Canada Cup and the 1989 World Championships, in addition to his Olympic appearances. Bříza has the unusual distinction of being the only goalie in Czech hockey history to score a goal, which he did in 1991.