9th year Slovak-born goaltender Jaroslav Janus(32) will spend a 5th season in Tipsport Extraliga but switches teams returning to HC Litvinov, a team he’d spent two successful campaigns with from 2015-2017.
He’s also tended the cage most recently for Bili Tygri Liberec and HC Sparta Praha after three years with HC Slovan Bratislava of the KHL.
The 6’1″ 190 lbs. net minder spent three seasons in the minors while under an entry level deal with Tampa Bay Lightning before deciding to head to Europe to continue as he approached his first restricted free agency.
At 28-years old, he’s still young enough to bounce around some and could be wooed to join some better hockey elsewhere, if he can continue to keep his numbers on the low side.
Jaroslav Janus (30)
Tampa Bay Lightning 6th round pick in the 2009 draft (#192 overall) goalie Jaroslav Janus(30) hopefully heads to the home country Slovakia to continue his pro hockey career development as he’s signed a tryout agreement with HC Slovan Bratislava.
The 3rd year goaltender’s entry level deal was up and he was a restricted free agent going into 2012/2013.
With no room in the minors and he’s yet to make an NHL appearance, this was thought to be the best idea in the quest to keep getting him playing time.
The 6’1″ 189 lbs. backstop had a career year with Calder Cup Champion Norfolk Admirals last season.
In 34 games he posted a 23-8 record with a 2.36 GAA and .914 SV%.
Unless he gets comfortable playing closer to his birthplace, it’s likely that if the Lightning just have too many goalies in their system, someone else will come a knocking for the 22-year old.