Penguins forward prospect Radim Zohorna will remain his native Czech Republic and train with his previous team, BK Mlada Boleslav of the ELH, to open the 2020-21 season according to a release from the team.
The release did not specify if Zohorna will play with BK Mlada Boleslav. That team’s first game of the 2020-21 campaign is scheduled for Sept. 18.
Several European leagues, such as Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League, have already begun playing preseason contests.
With the NHL’s postseason still ongoing because of a four-month hiatus resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, NHL training camps are not scheduled to open until Nov. 17 while the regular season is slated to begin in early December.
Assuming he does participate in the Penguins’ camp, Zohorna will likely open the 2020-21 season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League or the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. Those leagues are also aiming to open their seasons in early December.
The Penguins signed the 6-foot-6, 233-pound Zohorna to a one-year entry-level contract April 29. Undrafted, the 24-year-old set career highs last season with 46 games and 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists).
“It’s definitely better than just training all summer and fall,” Zohorna is quoted in the team’s release, translated from Czech. “I am glad that Boleslav sees me as a benefit and as someone who can help at the beginning of the season. And thank you, of course, to Pittsburgh for agreeing immediately.”
