By Ryan Whirty

Right winger Jaroslav Jirik didn’t have much of a statistical impact when he played three games for the St. Louis Blues in 1969-70. But his effect on the destiny of international hockey was far-reaching.

More than 40 years ago, the native of Brno, Czech Republic, became the first player behind the Iron Curtain to compete in the NHL, a development that hinted at the flood of Eastern Bloc talent that would arrive in the ensuing years.

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