Jiří Smejkal leaves Senators; signs 5-year deal in Pardubice

Another European player is leaving the Ottawa Senators and going back overseas. Czech forward Jiří Smejkal is going back to his home country, signing a five-year deal with Dynamo Pardubice. 

The contract includes an option to sign with an NHL club during the first season of the deal. If he subsequently returns again to Europe, the Pardubice contract would be re-activated. 

In one season in the Sens organization, Smejkal played 20 games in the NHL – recording one goal and one assist – and 47 with the AHL’s Belleville Senators – tallying nine goals and 13 assists. He was held pointless in seven AHL playoff games.

“From the first moment, there was a huge interest from Mr. (club owner Petr) Dědek and the entire Dynamo organization. We had some meetings, we talked about my goals and those of Pardubice. We want to win as much as possible and be successful, and I'm really looking forward to that,” Smejkal, 27, was quoted on the club website.

Smejkal, who hails from the South Bohemian city of České Budějovice, is new to the Pardubice club but has played in the Czech Extraliga in the past with Sparta Prague. He’s also played in Finland, Sweden, and had one season back in 2016-17 with Croatian KHL club Medveščak Zagreb. Previously, he played junior hockey for the Moose Jaw Warriors and Kamloops Blazers in the WHL.

Internationally, Smejkal played for Czechia at the 2016 World Juniors. He's also played in three World Championships and the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. 

“Jiří is an elite Czech forward and we are very happy that he chose Dynamo. We are convinced that he will also fit into the squad in terms of character and will help us on the path we are on,” said Pardubice sports director Petr Sýkora.

Dynamo Pardubice finished first overall in the Czech Extraliga last season but lost game seven of the finals in double-overtime at home to Oceláři Třinec.