Jan Hejda
| Jan Hejda | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
June 18, 1978 Prague, Czechoslovakia |
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| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | ||
| Weight | 209 lb (95 kg; 14 st 13 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
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NHL team Former teams |
Free Agent Edmonton Oilers Columbus Blue Jackets Colorado Avalanche |
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| National team |
 Czech Republic
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| NHL Draft | 106th overall, 2003 Buffalo Sabres |
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| Playing career | 1997–present | ||
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Representing Czech Republic
|
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| World Championships | ||
 |
2005 Vienna | |
 |
2006 Riga | |
Jan Hejda (born June 18, 1978) is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman currently an unrestricted free agent who last played on a professional try-out with the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Hejda was originally selected in the 4th round, 106th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. He played six seasons with HC Slavia Praha of the Czech Extraliga, two seasons with HC CSKA Moscow of the Russian Super League, and one season with Khimik Moscow Oblast, also of the Russian Super League.
In July 2006, Hejda was traded to the Edmonton Oilers by the Sabres in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick. He was then signed to his first NHL contract by the Oilers with a 2-year deal in the same week.
Hejda scored his first NHL goal on January 8, 2007 against the Los Angeles Kings netminder Mathieu Garon. The Kings' Konstantin Pushkarev had scored his first NHL goal in the game's third period to send the game into overtime; Hejda's goal in overtime gave the Oilers their 2–1 win.
In July 2007, Hejda signed a 1-year, $1 million deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He turned out to be one of the club's best defensemen the following season, ending with a team record +20 plus-minus on a team that had never had anyone finish higher than +13 before. He was subsequently signed a 3-year deal worth $6 million on April 29, 2008. After not scoring the previous season, Hejda scored three goals in addition to 18 assists during the 2008–09 season. He also played in three of the Blue Jackets four playoff games in their opening round series against the Detroit Red Wings, Columbus' first ever playoff appearance.
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