Libor Hájek

Libor Hájek (born 4 February 1998) is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for HC Dynamo Pardubice in the Czech Extraliga (ELH). He was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning, in the second round, 37th overall, in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career
Hájek made his Czech Extraliga (ELH) debut playing 17 games with HC Kometa Brno during the 2014–15 Czech Extraliga season. In opting to continue his development in the CHL, Hájek was selected second overall in the 2015 CHL Import Draft by the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL.

At the completion of his second season with the Blades, Hájek was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on 21 March 2017. He immediately joined the primary affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL on an amateur try-out to play out the remainder of the 2016–17 season.

On 26 February 2018, Hájek was traded to the New York Rangers, along with Vladislav Namestnikov, Brett Howden, and two draft picks, for Ryan McDonagh and J. T. Miller. Hájek recorded his first career NHL assist off a goal by Mika Zibanejad during the 2019–20 season opener against the Winnipeg Jets on 3 October.

On 13 November 2020, Hájek was loaned to HC Kometa Brno of the Czech Extraliga (ELH).

On 7 September 2021, the Rangers re-signed Hájek to a one-year contract. On 12 July 2022, he was signed to a one-year contract extension. He spent most of the 2022–23 season with the Rangers but was assigned to Hartford on 10 February 2023.

Hájek left the Rangers organization after five seasons and was later signed as a free agent to a professional tryout deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins on 30 August 2023. After attending training camp, he was re-assigned to continue his trial with AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He was later signed to a one-year AHL contract with Wilkes-Barre to open the 2023–24 season on 17 October 2023.

Hájek was scoreless through 11 regular season appearances with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before he was mutually released from his contract in order to return to his native Czech Republic and sign a long term five-year contract with HC Dynamo Pardubice of the ELH on 15 December 2023.

International play
Hájek represented Czechia at the 2024 IIHF World Championship and won a gold medal.