Former Boston Bruins forward Jakub Lauko is returning home to continue his professional hockey career. <\/p>\n
Lauko went into free agency as an unrestricted free agent after general manager Don Sweeney decided not to bring the forward back. Instead of signing with a new NHL team, Lauko signed with HC Dynamo Pardubice in the Czech Extraliga, the club announced on Friday.<\/p>\n
The gritty forward was born in Prague, but grew up in Chomutov in northern Bohemia. <\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the main reasons why I decided to join Pardubice was the coaching staff. I know Filip Pe\u0161\u00e1n and Karel Mlejnek quite well. Of course, ambition is also important,\u201d Lauko said, per the team\u2019s press release via Google Translate<\/a>. \u201cI have already spoken with Roman \u010cervenka, Martin Kaut and also with other guys I played with, whether in the youth or in the national team. It will be more pleasant for me if I join a team where I know a lot of players.\u201d <\/p>\n The 25-year-old was drafted by the Bruins during the 2018 NHL Draft in the third round. He played his first two NHL seasons in Boston before being traded to the Minnesota Wild during the 2024 NHL Draft. <\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n