San Jose Sharks Sign Libor Hajek

The San Jose Sharks are continuing to add to their organizational depth on defense. According to a team announcement, the Sharks have signed Libor Hajek to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2026-27 campaign.

Hajek, 28, has been playing for the Czech Extraliga’s HC Dynamo Pardubice for the last three years. Throughout that time, Hajek has scored 13 goals and 32 points in 111 games with a +26 rating. His last appearance in North America was during the 2023-24 season, where he played 11 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL before returning to his native Czechia.

Still, before his time with the AHL Penguins, Hajek was considered a relatively decent prospect in the New York Rangers organizational pipeline. He was drafted with the 37th overall pick of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning and was eventually traded to the Rangers in a package for Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller.

Unfortunately, although New York hoped Hajek would become a consistent shutdown force on the blue line, he didn’t pan out. He suited up with the Rangers for five seasons, finishing with four goals and 12 points in 110 games with a -9 rating, averaging 14:53 of ice time per game. Furthermore, his 39.4% CorsiFor at even strength left a lot to be desired.

Regardless, now in the “prime” years of his career, Hajek won’t have as much responsibility or pressure on him with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda. He remains a solid defensive defenseman and should help the next crop of Sharks’ blueliners mature as they begin their professional careers.