Having lived a pretty wild and crazy life, hockey pro Miro Frycer faced death at 40. Now, after two transplants, he tells his fascinating story.
A defector from communist Czechoslovakia, Frycer spent eight seasons in the NHL and played for the Quebec Nordiques, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers. He was one of the most popular Leafs in the 1980s-partly because of his on-ice performances (he played in an NHL All-Star Game and was the highest-scoring Leaf in the 1985-86 season), partly because of his off-ice escapades, such as his personal war with hard-nosed coach John Brophy.
With his typical sense of humor, he tells a story about the beautiful and ugly times with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Harold Ballard era and remembers famous teammates Peter Stastny, Borje Salming, Steve Yzerman and Mark Messier. As always, he is outspoken and straightforward.
Last but not least, My Wild Hockey Life includes Miro's recollection of his serious problems with alcohol in later years, as well as his new life after his liver transplant in 1999 and a recent kidney transplant in 2018. "A lot of the guys are dead already. Teammates, linemates ... and I'm still here after two transplants. I'm still fighting," he said at the time of publishing the book.
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After battling a series of health problems, Miro Frycer died in April 2021 at 61.