The New York Islanders announced today that the club has signed goaltender Vitek Vanecek to a one-year contract.
Vanecek, 30, recorded a 2.93 goals-against average (GAA) with an .883 save percentage in 22 appearances last season with the Utah Mammoth. The Havlickuv Brod, CZE native made 19 starts and posted one shutout alongside a 5-13-3 record.
In 210 career NHL games with the Washington Capitals, New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers and Utah, Vanecek has a 101-69-24 record with a 2.84 GAA and a .900 save percentage. He’s also appeared in 10 career Stanley Cup Playoff games (seven starts) with the Capitals and Devils.
The Washington Capitals selected Vanecek in the second round (39th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft. He’s played 143 games in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Hershey Bears and San Jose Barracuda, compiling a 72-44-16 record with a 2.58 GAA, .906 save percentage and 11 shutouts. Vanecek was named to the 2019 AHL All-Star roster. He made eight Calder Cup Playoff appearances for Hershey in 2017 and 2019, posting a 2-5 record, 2.47 GAA, .925 SV%, and one shutout.
On the international stage, Vanecek represented his home country at two IIHF World Junior Championships (2015 and 2016) and won a silver medal at the 2014 IIHF Under-18 World Championship.
