Sharks Sign Former Rangers Defenseman Looking For A Second Chance

The San Jose Sharks have made another transaction, announcing the signing of defenseman Libor Hajek to a one-year contract on Wednesday.

Hajek, 28, is a former second-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning from the 2016 NHL Draft. The Sharks defenseman would never play a game for the Lightning in the NH. In 2018, Hajek was traded to the New York Rangers.

Hajek has played 110 NHL games across five years with the Rangers. Despite that, Hajek has spent the past three seasons in Europe. The San Jose Sharks signing has played in Czechia for HC Dynamo Pardubice. In 111 games in Czechia, Hajek has 13 goals and 19 assists. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but as a prospect, Hajek was highly regarded.

Hajek played for Czechia at the 2018 IIHF World Juniors and tied Colorado Avalanche d-man Cale Makar for the most points by a defenseman, with eight. He won a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World Championships with Czechia.

The transition back to North America won’t be as hard for Hajek, as he has spent most of his playing career in NA. Hajek played three seasons in the WHL with the Saskatoon Blades before turning pro. Now the returns to NA with one goal in mind, to make the San Jose Sharks roster and restart his NHL career.