Penguins Sign Big Czech Forward, Zohorna to One-Year Deal

On his 24th birthday, the Pittsburgh Penguins made towering Czech defenseman Radim Zohorna a happy man. The Penguins signed Zohorna to a one-year, two way deal on Wednesday, according to Penguins GM Jim Rutherford.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Zohorna is 6-foot-6, 233-pounds. He played the last six seasons in the Czech Extraliga, which is the top league in the Czech Republic. Zohorna split time between BK Mlada Boleslav and HC Kometa Brno and is a six-year veteran. He made his debut as an 18-year old in 2014-15.

“Radim is a smart player with good hockey sense that uses his big size to his advantage,” said Rutherford. “His ability to play all three forward positions will help provide depth to our forward group.”

This season, Zohorna played 56 games for BK Mlada Boleslav. He was sixth on the team with 22 points (10g, 12a). The Czech league did not begin their playoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From the Penguins Press Release:

Zohorna is a left-handed shooting forward is a two-time Czech Extraliga Champion, both with HC Kometa Brno in 2017 and 2018. Zohorna was a vital member of HC Kometa Brno’s 2018 championship team, where 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.

He was undrafted in the NHL, has recorded 28 goals, 27 assists, and 55 points in 173 career Extraliga games. He’s tacked on 12 points (7G-5A) in 30 career playoff games.

Zohorna has two older brothers, Thomas and Hynek, who both currently play in the KHL. Thomas and Hynek were teammates with current Penguin Dominik Simon, on Team Czech Republic at the 2019 IIHF World Championship

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