Sparta Prague trades forward Hyka to Mladá Boleslav for Hradec

Prague's Sparta carried out the first player trade of the season in the Czech Extraliga: 33-year-old forward Tomáš Hyka moves to Mladá Boleslav, while forward Vojtěch Hradec, twelve years his junior, goes the other way. The deal was announced on the club's website by Sparta's sporting director Tomáš Divíšek.

Why Sparta let Hyka go

Hyka joined Sparta three years ago from Pardubice. After a decent start, his output and role on the team gradually declined, and this season he had dropped to the fourth forward line. He ended his 24-game goalless streak only in the game against České Budějovice — but the decision on the transfer had already been made by then. “We knew trades could happen. The coaching staff first wanted to get to know all the guys and see them in action. We agreed that as soon as the coaches decided what needed to change, we would try to help them,” Divíšek said. He thanked Hyka for his work, calling him an honest guy who always gave his all, even when luck wasn't on his side.

The forward, who played 27 NHL games for Vegas, is returning to familiar surroundings — his native Mladá Boleslav, where he started playing hockey and played before heading across the Atlantic. “We needed an experienced player, and in Tomáš we're getting one,” said Boleslav's sporting director Tomáš Vlasák. The club's sporting manager Martin Ševc added that the team has also gained a right-handed finisher for the power play, which hasn't quite been clicking yet.

Who Sparta got in return

In exchange for Hyka, Sparta specifically asked for Hradec — a player who isn't averse to physical battles in front of the opponent's net. “Sparta came to us with the offer. Together with the sporting management and coaches, we took time to think it over. Both players are products of our own club, and that also played a role, so it wasn't an easy decision. In the end, we decided to go through with it,” Vlasák said. For one of the leaders of the bronze-medal-winning 2025 junior national team, this will be his first experience playing outside his home club. “I'm overflowing with emotions, really thrilled. I'm already enjoying it and can't wait to get on the ice. I'll work honestly and give it my all out there,” Hradec promised.

Sparta coach Patrik Augusta has had his eye on him for a long time, having been left with excellent impressions from working together at the junior national team. “He was one of the leaders of the team, always gave his maximum for the common success, and I believe he'll do the same for Sparta. Vojta is a talented young hockey player with excellent physical attributes for a centre. He's strong on defence, on faceoffs and on the penalty kill,” Augusta noted. After a breakout season two years ago, when Hradec also got a taste of senior national-team action, his development stalled a little last year — both in his play and his scoring. The Prague club hopes to fully unlock his potential. “We were looking for a centre. Vojta also has good prospects in top-level hockey. His development may have slowed a bit, but we believe we can help him take a step forward. The coaches know him and are convinced he'll be useful to the team,” Divíšek said, voicing his hope.

Source: sport.cz