Filip Zadina signs in Switzerland
© Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports - Filip Zadina signs in SwitzerlandCzech right winger Filip Zadina has signed a two-year contract to play in Switzerland for HC Davos, the National League club announced on Monday.
Zadina, 24, has spent the past six seasons in North America in the Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks organizations.
“Despite his young age, Filip brings a lot of experience and offensive qualities,” said Davos GM Jan Alson. “He is still very young and has not yet reached his full potential. Filip will be one of seven import players on the squad. This will give the coaching staff more options to put the best team on the ice in every game.”
According to Czech media outlet hokej.cz, Zadina was close to re-signing with his hometown club Dynamo Pardubice, with the sticking point being the term of the contract – Pardubice wanted to lock him up long term while Zadina would like to keep options open for returning to the NHL. Pardubice has already signed Roman Červenka, Jiří Smejkal and Andrej Šustr this off-season.
Originally from Pardubice, Czechia, Zadina was drafted sixth overall by Detroit in 2018 following a year with the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads. Last summer, he was placed on waivers and claimed by San Jose. Last season, Zadina had 23 points in 72 games with the Sharks. His NHL totals include 91 points and 40 penalty minutes in 262 regular-season games.
Internationally, Zadina performed brilliantly for the Czechs at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, recording eight points in seven games. In his only senior-level World Championship in Riga in 2021, Zadina had four points in eight games.
In Davos, Zadina joins fellow Czech winger Matěj Stránský, Canadian center Adam Tambellini, Finnish defenseman Julius Honka and Swiss national team legend Andres Ambühl, the team’s captain. The team hosts the annual Spengler Cup, where Zadina and all of the above will probably appear.
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Certainly believe he is a gem. The Y should have him over now.