Czech Sabres Prospect Inks Multi-Year Deal in Sweden. Czech forward Lukáš Rousek is heading back to Europe after five seasons in North America, signing a two-year deal with HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), the club announced Tuesday. The 26-year-old spent the past several years developing in the Buffalo Sabres’ system, splitting time between the NHL and AHL.
“This is going to be an exciting new chapter,” Rousek said following the signing. “I’m looking forward to the challenge of competing in the SHL. I’ve heard great things about the level of play in Sweden, and I know Jönköping has a strong hockey culture. I’m really eager to join HV71 and contribute to the team.”
HV71’s General Manager, Björn Liljander, praised Rousek’s hockey sense and versatility. “Lukáš is an outstanding playmaker with excellent vision on the ice,” Liljander stated. “He has the ability to find open teammates and create scoring opportunities, whether he’s playing center or wing. His hockey IQ and passing ability will add another dimension to our offense.”
Rousek, born in the town of Ostrov and raised in Prague, began his professional career with Sparta Praha in the Czech Extraliga. Though he never represented Czechia at the U18 or U20 international level, he developed into a productive forward with Sparta, amassing 90 points in 176 regular season and playoff appearances. Despite being a late bloomer, he was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the sixth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft at the age of 20.
In North America, Rousek mostly played with the Rochester Americans, Buffalo’s AHL affiliate, but also made 17 appearances at the NHL level, recording one goal and three assists over parts of two seasons. His two-way game and playmaking potential earned him multiple call-ups, though he never secured a full-time roster spot in Buffalo.
HV71, once an SHL powerhouse and league champion in 2016–17, has struggled in recent years. After being relegated in 2021, the club returned to the top division in 2022 but has since failed to reach the playoffs, narrowly avoiding relegation in both 2023 and 2024. The addition of Rousek represents a strategic move as HV71 aims to re-establish itself as a contender in Swedish hockey.
