Liberec, Czechia – In a significant boost ahead of their playoff series against Karlovy Vary, Bílí Tygři Liberec announced a contract extension with captain Radim Šimek, securing his services through the 2029-2030 season. The commitment from the veteran defenseman underscores the club’s ambition and stability as they enter a crucial phase of competition.
“Šimi has a huge impact on our club, both on and off the ice,” said club sporting director Michal Birner. “For the club owners, for me, and for the coaches, it was a priority and a clear wish that Radim stay with us for as long as possible.”
Birner emphasized Šimek’s role in developing younger players and maintaining a high standard of professionalism. “He will help the Tigers nurture the next generation of players and be a guarantee of quality work every day. He is a team captain who leads by example every day. He is in excellent condition, and we all believe that he will continue to be a difference-maker,” Birner added.
Šimek returned to Liberec two years ago after seven seasons in North America, where he played 209 NHL games for the San Jose Sharks. He initially signed a contract through 2027, but has now extended his commitment by an additional three years, demonstrating his dedication to the club and the city.
The 33-year-old Šimek has quickly established himself as a leader for the Bílí Tygři, earning the captaincy and earning a recall to the Czech national team, where he represented his country at the February Olympic Games in Milan. Reports from the Olympics indicated Šimek was among the Czech Republic’s stronger performers.
This season, Šimek has appeared in 47 games for Liberec, registering five goals and nine assists. Beyond his offensive contributions, he excels defensively, posting a plus-14 rating in goal differential while on the ice – a key statistic highlighting his impact on the team’s success.
Thanks in part to Šimek’s leadership and consistent play, the Bílí Tygři finished third in the Czech Extraliga’s regular season. The extension ensures this successful partnership will continue for at least four more seasons.
Bílí Tygři Liberec Roster
Goaltenders: Petr Hamalčík, Petr Kváča, Štěpán Lukeš.
Defensemen: Layton Ahac, David Aubrecht, Marek Baránek, Tomáš Galvas, Michal Ivan, Lukáš Kachlíř, Vojtěch Pilíšek, Radim Šimek, Denis Zeman, Kristaps Zile.
Forwards: Martin Faško-Rudáš, Tomáš Filippi, Jakub Hujer, Filip Jansa, Radan Lenc, Adam Musil, Adam Najman, Jaromír Pérez, Servác Petrovský, Jaromír Pytlík, Filip Sandberg, Jaroslav Vlach, Jasper Weatherby, Marek Zachar.
The team is now focused on their upcoming quarterfinal series against Karlovy Vary, a matchup Šimek anticipates will be a challenging test. “It will be an unpleasant opponent,” Šimek said. “I don’t think these will be games with a lot of goals. Both sides have excellent goaltenders. It will depend on compact details, and the hockey will also be a little different because of their small rink. We are all looking forward to it, that’s why we worked hard and fought for 52 rounds.”
Šimek noted the similarities in playing style between the two teams, emphasizing the importance of skating and battles. “Both teams play a similar, energetic style of hockey. It will be a lot about skating and battles. We already had a back-to-back game against them before the Olympic break and saw that playoff hockey was already being played then.”
The Bílí Tygři will need Šimek’s leadership and experience as they navigate the playoffs. His ability to contribute both offensively and defensively, combined with his commitment to the team, makes him an invaluable asset as they pursue a championship.
The team’s success in the penalty kill has also been a key factor this season, with assistant coach David Kočí playing a significant role in that improvement. Birner highlighted the progress, noting that while the power play hasn’t reached the same level, the penalty kill has shown substantial gains.
Bílí Tygři Liberec will begin their best-of-seven series against Karlovy Vary on Friday. The outcome of this series will determine which team advances to the next round of the Czech Extraliga playoffs.
Fans can follow the series and receive updates on the Bílí Tygři’s official website and social media channels.
