Another Czech is returning home. Yesterday is was forward Jiří Smejkal. Today it’s defenseman Radim Šimek, who is heading back to Bílí Tygři Liberec after seven years in North America, spent almost entirely in the San Jose Sharks organization.

The contract is for three years, through the 2026-27 season.

“I had it in my head that I wanted to join the Tigers and I’m extremely happy that I’m coming back here after seven years. I want to build on the way I played here before I left for America,” the 31-year-old defenseman was quoted on the Liberec club’s website.

Born in Mladá Boleslav, Šimek developed as a hockey player in the affiliated Benátky nad Jizerou and Liberec clubs, first breaking into the Czech Extraliga in 2012 as a 20-year-old. He played 210 Extraliga games, all with Liberec, between 2012 and 2017, twice leading the league in goals by a defenseman. In Liberec’s championship season of 2015-16, Šimek led the Extraliga in plus-minus during the regular season and was named MVP of the playoffs.

Between 2017 and 2024, Šimek played 209 NHL games – all with the Sharks – and 130 AHL regular-season and playoff games. While he put up big offensive numbers in the Extraliga and AHL, his highest NHL single-season point total was nine, which he hit twice.

At this year’s trading deadline, Šimek was traded to the Detroit Red Wings, along with a 2024 seventh-round pick, in exchange for Klim Kostin. That only meant that he changed AHL teams from the San Jose Barracuda to the Grand Rapids Griffins, as he did not appear in any NHL games this past season.

“Radim Šimek does not need a long introduction,” said Liberec coach Filip Pešan, who previously coached Šimek. “A great person and an excellent hockey player, a leader and a role model for our young players are coming to our organization. He made it to the NHL thanks to his excellent defensive play combined with offensive instincts, and I believe that we will see such hockey from Radim in a Tigers jersey again. I am glad that Radim will be a prominent face of our club for at least the next three years.”

Internationally, Šimek has represented Czechia at three IIHF World Championships, winning a bronze medal in 2022.