LINKOPING, Sweden – Sweden runner-up Linkopings HC signed Czech national team centre Jaroslav Hlinka to a two-year deal. The 31-year-old returns to Europe after one season with the Colorado Avalanche where he scored eight goals and added 20 assists in 64 games.

Hlinka, who has played in the Czech Republic, Russia and Switzerland, joins his former coach Slavomir Lener, who is the new LHC coach.

Linkopings HC also  re-signed Slovakian defenceman Ivan Majesky. Both parties agreed on a tax-advantage contract valid from mid-October.