Bohumil Modry was considered the top European netminder of the immediate pre- and post-World War II era. He led Czechoslovakia to IIHF World Championship titles in 1947 and 1949 and won the Olympic silver medal and the European Championship in 1948 in St. Moritz, Switzerland. As well, he participated in the World Championships from 1937 to 1939, representing Czechoslovakia in a total of 71 games. Modry posted an impressive 1.27 goals-against average in his 35 World Championship games and a 2.00 GAA in Olympic competition.

In domestic league play, Modry played in the Czechoslovak elite league from its inception in 1936 and won six championship titles with LTC Prague. In 1950, Modry and the entire Czechoslovak national team fell victim to fabricated treason accusation by the Communist regime. Modry was sentenced to 15 years in jail, and although released before the end of his sentence, he died in 1963 in poor health as a result of the imprisonment.

Before his death, Modry became the first player to produce material about special education for goaltenders, publishing articles about goaltending training.

At the 2010 Olympics, Czech goaltender Ondrej Pavelec paid tribute to the Czech legend and had Modrys image painted onto the side of his mask.

Bohumil Modry was named Honoured Member of the Czech Ice Hockey Hall of Fame in the players category in 2008 and he has a street in Prague named after him.