Dad paves Stastny’s path in NHL

The Stastny name long has been synonymous with hockey excellence.

Brothers Peter, Anton and Marian Stastny starred for the now-defunct Quebec Nordiques in the 1980s, and Paul Stastny, Peter's son, is a star for the Colorado Avalanche.

But the Stastnys might never have made it to North America if not for Peter's daring defection from the former communist Czechoslovakia in 1980.

"It was almost a life-or-death decision," Paul Stastny said. "If that never happened, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Paul, 25, scored an unassisted goal Saturday night in the Avalanche's 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in their annual Frozen Fury exhibition game in front of a sellout crowd of 11,478 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

After playing for Czechoslovakia in an August 1980 tournament game in Innsbruck, Austria, Peter and Anton Stastny -- along with Peter's pregnant wife, Darina -- fled to Vienna.

After meeting there with a representative of the Nordiques -- and eluding government agents from Czechoslovakia -- they were escorted by Austrian police to an airport and flown to Montreal and freedom.

Peter, 55, has described his defection as "the scariest moments of my life. It was like being part of a (spy) novel."

Said Paul: "It took a lot of fortitude, a lot of nerve. It was a high-risk move. (My father) didn't know if he'd ever see his family again, especially his mom or dad.

"He said it was the toughest decision but, by far, the best decision he ever made in his life."

A year after their dramatic escape, Peter and Anton helped secure their brother Marian's freedom as well. The trio played together on the same line for Quebec, which quickly became one of the NHL's most exciting teams.

Peter claimed the Calder Trophy, given to the NHL's top rookie, to kick-start a 15-year Hall of Fame career, and his defection helped pave the way for other European players.

"It's a pretty important piece of history, not just in his life, but for the history of hockey," Paul said. "It kind of transformed the way the NHL is now with all the Europeans around the league."

A former All-Star, Paul proudly wears his father's old uniform number, 26, for his former franchise, which moved to Denver from Quebec in 1995.

He also inherited his hockey savvy from his father, who represents his native Slovakia in the European Parliament.

"The things I have from my dad can't be taught," Paul said. "Vision, being able to read different plays, my playmaking ability and sense of awareness out there on the ice -- that's something you can't teach and is passed on from generation to generation."

Paul, whose older brother, Yan, also played in the NHL, scored 78 points as a rookie, placing second in Calder voting.

The sixth-year pro compiled a career-high 79 points in 2009-10, when he led the Avalanche to an improbable playoff berth.

But Stastny's numbers dipped last season, to 57 points, and so did Colorado, which placed 29th of 30 teams with 68 points (30-44-8), its lowest total ever in Denver.

"Last year was a tough one for me and the team, and it's something I never want to happen again," Stastny said. "I've prepared myself better to have a good year.

"I'm coming in with a different attitude. It starts with being a leader on the ice. I know I can give a lot more."

The Stastny family already has given plenty to the game of hockey.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.