NEW YORK, February 4, 2021 – The New York Rangers announced today that the team has recalled defenseman Libor Hajek from the team’s taxi squad.
Hajek, who turned 23 years old today, has been on the Rangers’ taxi squad since the start of the season. He has skated in 33 career NHL games over parts of two seasons (2018-19 and 2019-20), both with the Rangers, registering one goal and five assists for six points, along with 18 penalty minutes. Hajek recorded five assists in 28 games with the Blueshirts last season, and he was one of 14 NHL rookie defensemen 21 years old or younger who played at least 28 games during the season. He led the Rangers in blocked shots per 60 minutes of ice time in 2019-20 (5.89).
The Smrcek, Czech Republic native was acquired by the Rangers in a trade with Tampa Bay on February 26, 2018. Hajek was originally selected by the Lightning in the second round, 37th overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.