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| Photo: Wikkipedia.com |
No-Touch Icing was adopted by the International Ice Hockey Federation in 1990 following the death of Luděk Čajka. Čajka
(November 3, 1963 - February 14, 1990) was a Czechoslovak defenceman. This is the legacy of Luděk Čajka. The rule allowing for touch icing has resulted in numerous serious and career ending injuries in professional hockey. The NHL continues to have the touch-icing rule and has already had one serious injury as a result in 2011/2012. Taylor Fedun of the Edmonton Oilers season is done as a result. It took the death of Čajka to change the rule to automatic non-touching icing by the IIHF. What is it going to take in the NHL?
On January 6, 1990, Čajka suffered severe spinal injuries after physical contact on a touch-icing play sent him crashing into the end boards in an icing situation during Zlín's game against VSŽ Košice. As a result, Čajka was paralyzed and in a coma and subsequently died on February 14, 1990.
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| Photo: Wikkipedia.com |
He was an excellent hockey player.
In the 1987 NHL entry draft Čajka was drafted 115th overall by the New York Rangers. His career included time with Czech Extraliga, HC Dukla Jihlava and HC Zlin (formerly Gottwaldov). He was also a bronze medal winner in the 1987 World Ice Hockey Federation representing Czechoslovakia.
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| Photo: Wikkipedia.com |
After 21 years, the legacy of Luděk Čajka needs to extend to North America!
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