Vitek Vanecek makes emotional return to Hershey as member of Hamilton Hammers, earning 1st Star, tribute video honors: ‘It’s beautiful, you know?’

HERSHEY, PA — Vitek Vanecek returned to Hershey for the first time in four and a half years on Wednesday, but this time wearing different colors. Donning blue, orange, and white, Vanecek backstopped the Hamilton Hammers, the New York Islanders‘ AHL affiliate, to a 4-1 victory over the Hershey Bears, stopping 34 of 35 shots faced and earning 1st Star of the Night honors.

“I mean, it’s nice to be back, you know, everything starts here,” Vanecek told RMNB. “And then from this team, I get to the NHL, so it’s a lot of memories for me, for sure.”

Vanecek’s best save came late in the third period, as Andrew Cristall sent a quick pass to Ryan Chesley, who had pinched down to the right circle. Vanecek fought through traffic and dove across the crease to make a save off the top of his goalie mask, maintaining the Hammers’ 2-1 lead.

“Every save feels good, you know, so I’m always happy with that,” Vanecek said.

Vanecek spent parts of five seasons developing with the Hershey Bears before graduating to the Washington Capitals in 2020–21. The Havlickuv Brod, Czechia native became a fan favorite during his time with the chocolate and white, turning into one of the AHL’s most dependable goaltenders.

In 142 games, the Czech netminder recorded 71 wins (tied for 10th most in franchise history), 11 shutouts (tied for 7th most), a 2.59 goals-against average, and a .906 save percentage. He was named to consecutive AHL All-Star teams in 2019 and 2020, earning Most Valuable Player honors at the 2020 AHL All-Star Challenge after helping the Atlantic Division capture the tournament championship.

Vanecek’s best statistical season in Hershey came in 2019–20, when he posted a 19-10-1 record with a 2.26 goals-against average and .917 save percentage before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the campaign to a premature end.

Vitek Vanecek’s Hershey Bears statistics by season

Known for his gregarious personality, fiery competitiveness, and overall consistency, Vanecek played his final game in Hershey on February 27, 2022, as part of a conditioning assignment for the Washington Capitals. He made 21 saves on 23 shots in a 3–1 loss to the Utica Comets at Giant Center.

Vanecek’s best moments were honored during the game’s first media stoppage, as the Bears aired a tribute video for Vanecek (second slide in the Instagram post below), which left the goaltender emotional.

Vanecek received a loud ovation, waving and clapping back for the crowd. When he got back to his crease, he held up his catching glove for one final thank you.

“I mean, it’s beautiful, you know? Come back and then see the video,” Vanecek said. “I spent here four years. It’s a lot of memories. So I’m really happy they did that for me, and then it’s even better we win.”

The fanfare during Vanecek’s homecoming didn’t end there. Bears fans held up signs for Vanecek and wore his jerseys from different stops in his NHL career. At the end of the night, after celebrating the victory with his teammates, Vanecek took some time with them, again waving before giving others a fist-bump through the glass. Vanecek then gave away his stick to a young woman standing by the Hammers’ visiting tunnel.

“Yeah, I saw [the signs], but the only thing, you know, always focusing on the game, so I didn’t give pucks or anything in the warm-up because I’m trying to dial (up) for the game, you know, but at the end, I give one stick to the fans.”

Not only did Vanecek make his mark in Hershey, but he also did with its parent club, spending two full seasons with the Capitals from 2020 through 2022. Vanecek appeared in 79 games, posting a 41-22-10 record, 2.68 goals-against average, .908 save percentage, and six shutouts. He recorded at least 20 victories in both seasons.

Vitek Vanecek’s Washington Capitals statistics by season

After struggles in the postseason, the Capitals ultimately decided to trade Vanecek in July 2022, after the team struggled with him and fellow young netminder Ilya Samsonov between the pipes. Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan dealt Vanecek to the New Jersey Devils and non-tendered Ilya Samsonov a new deal, letting him leave as an unrestricted free agent. The Capitals then signed veterans Darcy Kuemper and Charlie Lindgren.

“There’s a lot of memories,” Vanecek said. “I came young guy 19 years old. Didn’t speak English, (that) was for sure hard part, but they they give me a lot. I learned in this organization, starting ECHL (with the South Carolina Stingrays), and then built myself to AHL, spent here four years, and then helped myself to get a chance in the NHL. And it works. For me, that’s a great memory, going through this.”

Vanecek said he remains close friends with former Capitals forward Jakub Vrana, who is currently playing in the SHL with Linkoping, but no one else from his heyday.

“With Jakub Vrana, I’m in touch for sure. That’s probably it,” Vanecek said. “I saw Chris Bourque, he’s doing a GM (job) in Toronto, so I saw him, I talked to him when we played him.”

Vanecek has played for four different teams since leaving the Capitals organization, including the Devils, the San Jose Sharks, the Florida Panthers, and Utah Mammoth.

Vanecek felt like he was robbed of a more complete body of work due to difficult injuries he suffered. He posted 33 victories in his first season with New Jersey before suffering a season-ending groin injury the next year, which he had previously described as a “tough surgery.”

“Really good first year and then after that I get a s*** injury,” Vanecek said. “So it was tough to get through that. I was eight months out, and it wasn’t easy to come back, but after they traded me up to San Jose and it was a couple months in San Jose — another injury there. Then after that I was in Florida.”

Vitek Vanecek’s NHL statistics since leaving Washington

While with the Panthers, Vanecek became a Stanley Cup champion in 2025, serving as a backup to Sergei Bobrovsky, who appeared in every playoff game.

“It was amazing, being around the guys and then seeing how the playoffs works,” Vanecek said. “You know, Bobrovsky was a really good goalie and person. So it was amazing to see it, and then that run was just amazing. I don’t know what to say about it. It was huge.”

Vanecek then spent last season with the Utah Mammoth, where he notably surrendered goals to Alex Ovechkin for the first time in his career.

Ovechkin scored his 924th and 925th career tallies against Vanecek, making him the 189th different goaltender he’s scored against, before adding an empty-netter at the end of the night, no. 926, for his 34th career hat trick in the NHL.

“I remember when he scored, I was pissed,” Vanecek said. “That game was like six-something.” He added that Ovechkin is a “special person” and he was amazed he captured the NHL goals record the year before.

Over the past summer, Vanecek signed a one-year NHL contract with the Islanders. He was cut from the team’s training camp roster on September 27 and was assigned to AHL Hamilton after passing through NHL waivers.

So far this season, Vanecek has a .884 save percentage through his first nine games, on a Hamilton team that is tied for last in the North Division. Vanecek notably made an league-high 46 saves in Hamilton’s 5-4 loss to Providence on November 6.

Vitek Vanecek’s 2026-27 AHL statistics

As Vanecek stood in the underbelly of Giant Center, about to board the team bus with meal in hand, he had one last thing he wanted to say to Hershey fans.

“I want to thank you for everything they did for me,” Vanecek said. “They are amazing, you know, and hopefully they’re going to keep doing what they’re doing because it’s amazing playing here and [the fans] always come (to watch).”