Rytíři Kladno have agreed to end their cooperation with Canadian defenceman Jérémie Blain, the club announced on Tuesday. The 34-year-old joined from Hradec Králové last year and played 25 games for Kladno, recording two goals and six assists. He appeared in only three games this season.
Sporting director Tomáš Plekanec said Blain’s future with the club had depended on his health, which limited him last season. Kladno had wanted to give him another opportunity because of his experience and quality, Plekanec said, but decided during the season not to continue the cooperation.
Kladno are also without defencemen Filip Westerlund and Michal Houdek. Westerlund was injured against Kometa, while Houdek left the previous game against Mladá Boleslav early. Current estimates suggest both will be out at least until the first international break.
The club has called up defenceman Tomáš Vandas from Chomutov in the first league. Plekanec added that Kladno would consider signing another player if someone became available whom the club believed could help.