Václav Nedomanský

Václav Nedomanský is best known as the first Czechoslovakian hockey player to defect to play in North America. Nedomanský defected in 1974 to Toronto via Switzerland, and never returned to his home nation until the 1990s, after the fall of Communism. He had played his entire Czech career with ŠK Slovan Bratislava, but in 1974 joined the Toronto Toros of the World Hockey Association (WHA), with whom he played for two seasons, before joining the Birmingham Bulls of the WHA. He then moved to the National Hockey League (NHL), playing for five years with the Detroit Red Wings, before playing with the New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues in final season, 1982-83. A center, Nedo played in 421 games in the NHL and 673 professional games in North American, scoring 531 points. His best NHL season was 1978-79 when he scored 38 goals and 73 points.

Prior to his defection, Nedomanský played for Czechoslovakia at the 1968 and 1972 Winter Olympics, winning a silver medal in 1968 and a bronze medal in 1972. He also competed at the World Championships in 1965-67 and 1969-74, winning gold in 1972, silvers in 1965-66, 1971, and 1974; and bronzes in 1969-70 and 1973. In 1974 he was named the best forward at the Worlds.

After his playing career ended, Nedomanský began a coaching career, initially in Germany. He later became manager for the Slovakian National Team. Born in Moravia in the current Czech Republic, but near Slovakia, Nedo has stated that he feels more Slovakian than Czech because of his years in Bratislava.