Penguins Re-Sign Zohorna to 2-Year Deal; 2nd Year is NHL Only

The Pittsburgh Penguins locked up their big Czech prospect who had fans salivating last season. Radim Zohorna signed a two-year deal with the Penguins on Tuesday, according to GM Ron Hextall.

Last season, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound Zohorna played his first season in North America. He played most of the season with the Penguins AHL farm team, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, though he spent time with the Pittsburgh Penguins on the ice and the taxi squad. In the NHL, Zohorna scored four points (2-2-4) in eight games.

The 25-year-old rookie scored his first NHL goal on his first career shot on March 25 against the Buffalo Sabres, becoming the 22^nd Penguins player to score a goal in his first career game.

The contract, which is two-way in 2021-22 and one-way in 2022-23, runs through the ‘22-23 season and carries an average annual value of $750,000 at the NHL level.

“Radim impressed us last season with his ability to transition to the smaller ice surface quickly and adapt his game,” said Penguins general manager Ron Hextall. “He is a power forward with a lot of potential, and we are excited to watch him continue to grow as a player.”

From the Pittsbrugh Penguins release: 

Before the beginning of the Penguins’ 2020-21 season, Zohorna played on a loan with BK Mlada Boleslav, recording 12 goals, 10 assists, and 22 points in 21 games.

Zohorna played parts of seven seasons in the Czech Republic’s top professional league between 2014-21, the Czech Extraliga, split between BK Mlada Boleslav and HC Kometa Brno.

A native of Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic, the undrafted forward is a two-time Czech Extraliga Champion, with HC Kometa Brno in 2017 and 2018. Zohorna was a vital member of HC Kometa Brno’s 2018 championship team. He was tied for sixth on the team with a career-high seven playoff points (3G-4A) in 14 games, which included the opening goal in the championship-clinching game.