LA Kings acquire forward Jan Jeník in trade with Senators
The LA Kings have traded for forward Jan Jeník in a deal with the Ottawa Senators. The 25-year-old Czech player arrives in exchange for defenseman Samuel Bolduc. Jeník brings a mix of AHL experience and international success to his new team.
Jeník began his junior career in North America with the Hamilton Bulldogs in the OHL. Over two seasons, he scored 86 points in just 54 games. His performance earned him a spot on Czechia's U-18 team for the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he recorded six assists.
His professional career took off in the AHL, first with the Tucson Roadrunners and later the Belleville Senators. The 2021-22 season proved his best yet, as he tallied 47 points in 51 games for Tucson. This year, he played 41 matches for Belleville, contributing nine goals and 17 points. On the international stage, Jeník has been a regular for Czechia. He competed in three U-20 World Junior Championships, winning bronze in 2019, gold in 2020, and silver in 2021. Across those tournaments, he scored two goals and five points in 12 games. He also added six assists at the U-18 level in 2018. In the NHL, Jeník has appeared in 24 games, scoring four goals and six points. His AHL career totals stand at 166 points in 258 regular-season games.
The trade sends Jeník to his third NHL organisation. His offensive record in the AHL and experience with Czechia's junior teams add depth to the Kings' forward group. The move also sees Bolduc, a defenseman, head to Ottawa as part of the deal.
