Cleveland Monsters defenseman Samuel Knazko has signed a two-year deal in Czechia with HC Vitkovice, it was announced earlier this week.
Knazko, a 2020 third-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets, spent this past season playing for the Monsters, collecting four goals and 12 assists for 16 points in 55 regular season games. With Cleveland having made the playoffs, Knazko put up two assists in three games.
Since turning pro with the Blue Jackets organization in 2022, Knazko has gotten into two NHL games but did not register a point. Over that span, he has also played in 149 career AHL regular season games, registering seven goals and 42 assists for 49 points.
Prior to joining Columbus, Knazko played junior hockey in Finland, Slovakia and part of one season with the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds.
With Knazko heading off to Europe, it is tough to see him making the journey back to North America unless he stands a real chance at seeing NHL minutes. A tough defender to go up agianst, Knazko has the ability to make a difference at both ends of the ice and should be a good player in Czechia's top pro league.