The Edmonton Oilers announced on Monday afternoon that they had signed former Capitals defenseman Jakub Jerabek to a one-year deal for 2018-19.
The terms of the contract are not yet known.
The Czech blueliner started the season with the Montreal Canadiens, but was dealt to the Capitals at the trade deadline. However, another deadline pickup, Michael Kempny, ended up receiving the bulk of the playing time between the new pickups. Jerabek played in 11 games with the Caps, including 2 playoff games during the Capitals’ first round series against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Jakub Jerabek’s agent, Michal Sivek from Eurohockey Services, said to sport.cz that “We noticed a strong interest from top KHL teams, but Kuba unequivocally preferred NHL. He wanted to continue there, so a return to Europe wasn’t an option.”
There were negotiations about a possible [new contract] with Washington. “But it was only open until the team re-signed Brooks Orpik. Not after that,” Sivak said.
Edmonton was looking for a replacement for the injured Slovak defenseman Andrej Sekera. “It’s true that the Oilers were looking for a similar type of defenseman,” Sivak said. “Kuba is a left-handed offensive defenseman. We believe a contract with the Oilers might suit him. He’s joining an offensive-minded team with a promising future.”
Jerabek was one of three Czech players to become a Stanley Cup champion with the Capitals, joining Jakub Vrana and Kempny.
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The Edmonton Oilers have signed free agent defenceman Jakub Jerabek to a one-year contract.
Jerabek, 26, appeared in 36 games last season, splitting the season between the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals, posting eight points (2G, 6A) and six penalty minutes. He also played in two playoff games, capturing the Stanley Cup with the Capitals.
Jerabek spent some time in the American Hockey League last season, appearing in 17 games with the Laval Rocket, posting 11 points (1G, 10A), 16 penalty minutes and a +10 plus-minus rating.
The 5’11”, 200-pound left-handed defenceman spent the 2016-17 season with Vityaz Podolsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), recording 34 points (5G, 29A) and 56 penalty minutes in 59 games. He also posted two points (1G, 1A) and eight penalty minutes in four playoff games. His 34 points ranked him sixth on the team in scoring and he also represented Vityaz Podolsk at the 2017 KHL All-Star Game.
Jerabek spent eight seasons with HC Plzen of the Czech Extraliga (ELH) from 2008-16.
The native of Plzen, Czech Republic has played for his country several times internationally, most recently at the 2017 World Hockey Championship, registering two assists and four penalty minutes in eight games. He also played for the Czech Republic at the 2016 World Hockey Championship and twice (2010, 2011) at the World Junior Hockey Championship. He captained the Czech Republic in 2011 and was named a top three player on his team for the tournament.
Translation by Alexandra Petáková.
Headline photo: Ethan Miller
