Zoltán Bátovský

Zoltán Bátovský (March 27, 1979 - August 8, 2001) was a Slovak professional ice hockey forward who last played for the Kentucky Thoroughblades of the American Hockey League (AHL). He previously played for the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

Junior
Bátovský began his junior career with HC Banska Bystrica's U20 team. At the 1997 CHL Import Draft, he was selected in the 1st round, 22nd overall by the Drummondville Voltigeurs. In his rookie season with the team, in 1997-98 he appeared in 69 regular season games and almost went point-per game, scoring 65 points with 22 goals and 43 assists. However, he remained undrafted by an NHL team after not being selected at the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

Bátovský's point number increased in the 1998-99 season. He played in 62 games and tallied 29 goals and 42 assits for 71 points. Bátovský's final season with Drummondville in 1999-00 was his best season yet point-producing wise, appearing in 63 games, he scored 27 goals and 60 assists for 87 points.

Professional
After remaining undrafted at the last few NHL Entry Drafts, Bátovský signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks on June 24, 2000 after remaining as an undrafted free agent.

Bátovský played his first season of professional hockey in 2000-01 with the Sharks American Hockey League affiliate, the Kentucky Thoroughblades. He tallied 9 goals and 19 assists in 79 regular season games. He also played in 3 playoff games, also adding 2 assists in 3 games.

International play
Bátovský played for Slovakia internationally, appearing at the 1999 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where Slovakia won bronze. He played in 6 games, scoring 3 goals and 2 assists. Also playing for Slovakia alongside Bátovský at the tournament was future NHL star Marián Gáborík.

Death
Bátovský was killed on August 8, 2001 in Hainburg an der Donau, Austria after he was dropped off at the airport by a friend, Bátovský fell asleep while he was driving, causing his car to lose control and hit a tree, his car would veer off again and hit another tree, killing Bátovský.