Šimon Zajíček (born 25 June 2001) is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing with the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract with the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played professionally in the Czech Republic, most notably with HC Litvínov of the Czech Extraliga (ELH).
Playing career
Czech Republic Zajíček started his professional career in 2019, appearing in one game for HC Litvínov in relief of Jaroslav Janus, earning the victory. Over the next four seasons, Zajíček would bounce between different levels of the Czech leagues, always on loan from Litvínov. Throughout this period, he found himself playing for HC Stadion Litoměřice, SK Trhači Kadaň, HC Slovan Ústí nad Labem, HC Baník Sokolov, and HC Slavia Praha of the 1st Czech Republic Hockey League, as well as SK Draci Bílina and Mostečtí Lvi of the 2nd Czech Republic Hockey League.
In the 2024–25 season, Zajíček was finally able to play a season with Litvínov without having to go on loan, and the stability brought him success. In 29 games, Zajíček recorded career highs in both save percentage (SV%) and goals against average (GAA), with .930 and 2.12 respectively. His save percentage was a league best, and his GAA was good for fourth-best in the Extraliga. He also tied for second in the league with five shutouts. He would help Litvínov into the playoffs, where he would start the first three games of Litvínov's first round series against HC Oceláři Třinec. However, after going down 2–1 in the series, Zajíček was not chosen to start Game 4. Třinec would win Game 4, putting an early end to the season for Zajíček and Litvínov.
Boston Bruins On 19 May 2025, it was announced that Zajíček would make the jump to North America, as he signed a one-year, entry-level contract worth $872,000 with the Boston Bruins.
In his first year in North America, Zajíček was assigned to the Bruins American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Providence Bruins, where he formed a tandem with the eventual league MVP, Michael DiPietro, serving as his backup. Zajíček would play in 21 games with the Bruins, garnering a 14-6-1 record, and help them to the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy, given to the AHL team with the most regular season points. However, the Bruins would be upset in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs, ending Zajíček's season early. Zajíček did not appear in any playoff games for Providence.
On June 23, 2026, Zajíček resigned with the Bruins on a one-year, two-way deal worth $850,000 with the Bruins.
Career statistics Bold indicates led league Regular seasonPlayoffsSeasonTeamLeagueGPWLT/OTMINGASOGAASV%GPWLMINGASOGAASV%2018–19HC Litvínov U19CZE U1923101301,3488503.80.9116333591803.01—2018–19SK Draci BílinaCzech393605084505.32—————————2019–20Mostečtí lviCzech3101060606—————————2019–20HC Stadion LitoměřiceCzech23020106603.40.861————————2019–20HC LitvínovELH110020000.001.000————————2020–21HC Litvínov U20CZE U2073404231702.41.940————————2020–21SK Trhači KadaňCzech241302402005.00.885————————2020–21HC LitvínovELH82403931602.44.89910140203.00.8462021–22HC Slovan Ústí nad LabemCzech2136707964603.47.898————————2021–22SK Trhači KadaňCzech2101060303.00.906————————2021–22HC LitvínovELH60502982705.44.845————————2022–23HC Baník SokolovCzech23120174802.76.895————————2022–23HC LitvínovELH26111301,4116212.64.91310158303.10.8702023-24HC Slavia PrahaCzech22020123602.930.916————————2023–24HC LitvínovELH2071301,1205502.95.90920162302.90.8932024–25HC LitvínovELH29151301,6685952.12.930312160702.63.9272025–26Providence BruinsAHL2114611,2074902.44.915————————ELH totals90364804,91021962.68.9127153201502.81.906AHL totals2114611,2074902.44.915————————
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