11th year right wing Tomas Kubalik(81) decides enough is enough and heads home to Czech Extraliga joining HC Dukla Jihlav for 2017/2018.
He somewhat unsuccessfully split last season with HC Slovan Bratislava of the KHL and Liiga‘s Sport.
The big forward had a much better showing in 2014/2015, when he was skating for ERC Ingolstadt scoring 14 goals and 13 assists in 47 DEL games.
He’s never been able to match the 53 points (24-29) through 74 AHL games he posted as a rookie with Springfield Falcons while under contract with draft club Columbus Blue Jackets.
There’s an argument that he wasn’t ever given enough time to prove himself in the big league as he seemed decently successful with the parent club when recalled.
At 27-years old, he’s still pretty young but may have decided that he’s done going on adventures to play hockey anymore.
That said, he should do very well in the top pro league of his land.
Tomas Kubalik(19) HC Lev Praha
3rd year, Czech Republic-born right wing Tomas Kubalik(19) was originally a Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 5th round pick in the 2008 draft (#135 overall), signed to a three-year entry level deal.
He was playing in his third season with their AHL team, Springfield Falcons, where in the last couple seasons his point production had slipped to a level that was equal to the totals of his rookie campaign.
Although part of that story can be attributed to the injury bug that seemed to follow him.
Reports suggested the 6’3″ 220 lbs. skater with all the attributes of a power forward wanted out of town, because he wasn’t get a fair shot with the parent club.
In 12 NHL games over a couple of seasons he had one goal and three assists with a -6 rating.
He was involved in a late season trade of minor league players with Winnipeg Jets that had him reassigned to their affiliate St. John’s IceCaps for the remainder of his contract.
He only connected for 3 assists in 10 games, which resulted in at least a couple of games as a healthy scratch.
The 23-year old, who has been playing pro hockey since he was 16, was set to become a restricted free agent but decided it’s time to take his game back overseas, signing a 1-year deal to join HC Lev Praha of the KHL.
One has to think if he is able to connect there, he may be invited back for another go at the North American style game.