Czech forward Dominik Simon, 30, has signed a one-year contract extension with Škoda Plzeň, the Extraliga club announced on Wednesday.
The former NHLer had six goals, 15 assists, 26 penalty minutes and was a plus-5 in 48 regular-season games this season. He also had an assist in four playoff games as Plzeň was eliminated in the play-in round by BK Mladá Boleslav.
“Dominik showed his qualities as a player last season,” said GM Martin Straka. “We believe that he will fit perfectly into the team we are assembling for the upcoming season and we’re happy that we’ve signed a contract with him.”
Simon was born in Prague and grew up playing for the city’s famous Sparta club. Although he turned pro with Sparta, he transferred to Plzeň in 2014 at age 20 and had a breakout season with 33 points in 56 games.
There Will Be A New Czech Champion - Třinec's 5-Year Reign Ended By Sparta
After
five long years, Oceláři Třinec’s reign as Extraliga champion is
over, following the team’s quarterfinal defeat at the hands of
Sparta Prague before a sellout crowd of 17,220 at O2 Arena on Monday.
Simon was then drafted in the fifth round, 137th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He immediately joined the Penguins organization and spent the next seven seasons in North America.
Simon played 256 NHL regular-season games, mostly with Pittsburgh but also with brief stints for the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks, where he recorded 77 points and 80 penalty minutes. He also had four assists in 12 playoff games, all with Pittsburgh.
Since returning to Czechia, Simon played a season each for Sparta and Motor České Budějovice before rejoining Plzeň last summer.
Internationally, Simon has represented Czechia at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship and at three World Championships, winning a bronze medal on home ice in 2015.
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