Another Griffins Player Heading Overseas

Another member of the Grand Rapids Griffins is choosing to continue his pro hockey career in Europe. Defenseman Radim Simek never got to play for the Detroit Red Wings, but he will be playing for the Tigers.

Simek is returning home to Czechia to play for Liberec White Tigers of the Czech Extraliga. He signed a three-year pact that will keep him with the Czech club through 2027.

Radim Šimek is headed home to Czechia.

It’s sad for us as in the short time he was in GR he quickly became a favorite veteran player for us. Radim played a huge role in filling the gap left on defense when Edvinsson was in Detroit.

Wishing Radim and his family the best back… https://t.co/moaiECUj4x

— Hockeytown West Podcast (@HockeytownWpod) June 14, 2024

Simek, 31, played with Liberec from 2012-17 prior to joining the San Jose Sharks. He spent most of the past seven seasons in the Sharks organization until he was dealt to Detroit at the NHL trade deadline for forward Klim Kostin.

“I had it in my head that I wanted to join the Tigers and I’m extremely happy that I’m coming back here after seven years,” Simek said on the Liberec web page. “I want to build on the performances I performed here before I left for America,”

He won a championship with the Liberec White Tigers in 2015-16. That spring, Simek was recognized as MVP of the Czech Extraliga playoffs.

“Radim Simek does not need a long introduction, Liberec coach Filip Pesan told the team’s website. “A great person and an excellent hockey player, a moral leader and a role model for our young players are coming to our organization.

“He made it to the NHL thanks to his excellent defensive play combined with offensive tastes, and I believe that we will see such hockey from Radim in a Tiger jersey again. I am glad that Radim will be a prominent face of our club for at least the next three years.”

Only Played 17 Games For Griffins

Simek was serving as captain of the AHL San Jose Barracuda at the time when the Sharks were dealing him to the Red Wings. Then he was given assignment to Grand Rapids.

Get to know Radim Simek who came to the Griffins in early March via trade from the San Jose Sharks where he played 209 NHL games between 2018-23. pic.twitter.com/sQ1cYbOO90

— Bob Kaser (@bkaser1) May 5, 2024

With the Griffins, Simek saw duty in nine regular-season AHL games, collecting one assist. He accounted for two assists through eight games for Grand Rapids in the Calder Cup playoffs.

Simek would play 209 NHL games, all with the Sharks. He would never appear in a Red Wings uniform.