Defenseman Libor Hajek made his New York Rangers debut on Friday against the Montreal Canadiens and played with the poise and skill that was anticipated.
Hajek was part of the deal that sent Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller to the Tampa Bay Lightning last February. The 21-year-old from Smerk, Czech Republic was a second-round pick, 37th overall, of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
Prior to arriving in Hartford this season, Hajek played his junior hockey in the Juniors with the Saskatoon Blades and Regina Pats of the WHL.