Jaroslav Hlinka has spent his entire professional career playing in Europe, but the Colorado Avalanche is hoping the veteran Czech forward can make the jump to the National Hockey League.
The Avalanche today announced that the team had signed Hlinka, 30, to a one-year contract. If he is on the NHL roster, he will be paid $600,000 in the 2007-08 season.
Hlinka had 19 goals in 49 games in the Czech League last season, playing for Sparta Praha. He has spent 10 seasons with that team in two stints and also has played in Switzerland and Russia.
He played for the Czech Republic in the World Championships this spring and last spring, getting five goals and eight assists in 16 games.
“Jaroslav was the top scorer in the Czech league last season, and we’re looking forward to watching him in our upcoming training camp,” Avalanche assistant general manager Greg Sherman said in a team release.
