Ottawa Senators sign European free agent Jiri Smejkal to one-year, entry-level contract

The Ottawa Senators announced Friday that they had signed 26-year-old Czech forward Jiri Smejkal to a one-year, entry-level contract. According to CapFriendly, the contract will hold an average annual value of $950,000.

Smejkal has been a staple in the European hockey scene over the last few years, dominating wherever he went. He most recently played for IK Oskarshamn in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL); he registered 23 goals and 43 points in 49 games. He ranked sixth among SHL forwards in points and fifth among goal scorers. During the 2021-22 season, he suited up for the Lahti Pelicans in the Finnish Men’s League (LIIGA); he registered 25 goals and 45 points in 44 games, good for seventh league-wide and third among goal scorers. He represented Czechia at the Olympic Games and the IIHF World Hockey Championships; during the Olympics, he notched one goal in four games and five points in 10 games at the World Championships to capture the Bronze medal.

“A big 6-foot-4 forward with good speed and skill, Smejkal has produced everywhere he has played in Europe,” said Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis. “He never really stood out in major junior, but from about 2019-20 on, Smejkal always seemed to be near the top of his team’s scoring charts. He has scored at over 0.50 goals per game in his first season in Liiga and had over a point-per-game in Finland last year, as well. Smejkal was a crucial secondary scorer with Czechia’s World Championship team last year and typically does a decent job as a big power forward internationally, too. Smejkal could hold his own in a depth power role. At 26, he’s one of the older options, too, so he should be ready to go immediately.”

Prior to going pro in Europe, the Ceske Budejovice product played major junior hockey in North America for two and a half seasons from 2014-15 to 2015-16. In the CHL Import Draft, Smejkal was drafted 12th overall by the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League (WHL). During his rookie campaign, he notched 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists) in 72 games with the Warriors. He was dealt to the Kamloops Blazers the following season at the WHL trade deadline and finished the season with nine points in 30 games. He registered 59 points (17 goals, 42 assists) in 130 WHL games.