The former ice hockey goaltender Roman Cechmanek passed away at 52 in late 2023.
Despite having a few seasons in the NHL, the Czech-born left a remarkable mark in the league. With his sudden demise, there’s an unraveled query regarding the cause of his death.
As reported, the three-time ice hockey World Champion was found dead by his son after he was not picking up his calls.
Born in Gottwaldov, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), Roman Čechmánek came to the NHL lights as the 6th round Flyers pick in the 2000 NHL draft.
The same draft launched players like Rick DiPietro (considered one of the most overrated athletes), Dany Heatley, Marian Gaborik, Scott Hartnell, and Justin Williams on the rink.
At the time of the draft, he was 29 years old. He was then playing for HC Vsetín (1994-2000) in his home country.
From 2000-01 through 2002-03 season, Cechmanek played three seasons for the Philadelphia Flyers.
From 163 games with the Flyers, finishing 92-43-22 with a 1.96 goals-against average and 20 shutouts, the second-most in franchise history.
Then, he played one season with another NHL team, the Los Angeles Kings (2003-04), averaging 2..59 GAA from 49 games. Later, he went to play in his home country.
Roman Cechmanek Death Cause: What Happened To The Goalie?
Cechmanek died on November 12, 2023, in his home country, Czech Republic, at 52. Born on March 2, 1971, the goaltender was only four months away from his 53rd birthday.
The Deník Sport broke the news of Roman’s death but didn’t clarify the cause of his demise.
Even so, the article mentioned that the retired ice hockey player was ill and didn’t attend a Saturday match (on November 11) with his children.
So, the Cechmanek family was supposed to attend a Sunday match (on November 12). However, after he didn’t respond to messages/calls, his son went for a welfare check and found him dead in Všeminá in a rented apartment.
Online sources also reported that Roman had a problem with his hand, which used to make it difficult for him to take medicines (shots and injections).
The Zlín police concluded that there were no signs of any wrongdoing. They ordered an autopsy report, which has yet to be out.
His former team, the Philadelphia Flyers, and many teammates, including Antonín Stavjaňa, mourned his untimely death.
On behalf of the NHL team, Keith Jones, the Flyers’ president of hockey operations, released a statement in remembrance of his contribution that followed with,
“His passing at too young of an age is heartbreaking to us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”
The late NHL player is survived by his former wife, Dagmar, and his three children. His kids are two sons, Roman and Jakub, and a daughter, Katerina.
Did Cechmanek Commit Suicide?
Even though no official confirmation on Cechmanek’s cause of death is out, some are pointing out a possible reason: suicide. However, his son addressed that it couldn’t be the case.
But over the past years, his struggle with finances and an ongoing heartbreak with a divorce from his wife pointed in that direction.
Roman, an Olympic gold medalist, earned over $10 million (240 million Czech crowns) from his hockey career. Out of that hefty sum, $8.5 million came from four seasons in the NHL.
However, due to loss in real estate and business ventures, he was in debt of about $4 million (100 million crowns). As a result, he had his property auctioned off.
