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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Alumni Update: Rangers Call up Hajek

February 28, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


The New York Rangers announced this morning they have recalled defenseman Libor Hájek from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Hájek was selected by Saskatoon 2nd overall in the 2015 CHL Import Draft and went on to play 167 WHL games with the Blades. During his junior career, Libor put up 91 points and 187 penalty minutes in the WHL, played in the 2018 World Junior Championship Tournament with his native Czech Republic where he led the tournament in points by defensemen, participated in the CHL Top Prospects Game during the 2015-16 season, and the 2018 Memorial Cup with the host Regina Pats.

Libor was drafted 37th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning and made his professional debut during the Spring of 2017 with the Lightning's AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch.

On February 26th, 2018, Hájek was traded to the New York Rangers in a deal that saw Ryan McDonaugh and J.T. Miller going to Tampa Bay.

The recently turned 21-year-old has skated in all 58 games this season with Hartford, registering five assists and 36 penalty minutes. He leads AHL defensemen who are in their U21 season or younger in games played this season, and he also leads all AHL rookie defensemen (regardless of age) in games played in 2018-19. In addition, he is one of only 21 AHL defensemen who, in their U21 season or younger, have skated in at least 25 games this season.

Hájek is expected to make his NHL debut tomorrow night when the Rangers play host to the Montreal Canadiens.

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