"Radim became a very important part of the Barracuda defensive core this past season and showed his ability to mix stay-at-home, physical edge with his ability to jump up into the play," said Wilson. "One of our organization's strengths is our depth on the blueline and Radim is certainly a key piece of that group going forward."

The 25-year-old Simek recorded 27 points (seven goals, 20 assists) and a plus-6 rating in 67 games during the 2017-18 season with the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League (AHL). He ranked second amongst Barracuda defensemen in points, goals, and assists, while his plus-six rating ranked tied for third and his 128 shots on goal led all team blueliners and ranked third overall. Through the Barracuda's first three playoff games, Simek has posted six shots on goal.

In 211 career games in the Czech leagues, Simek collected 91 points (37 goals, 54 assists) and a plus-51 rating. Simek helped his team win the 2015-16 championship, and was named the league MVP after posting the league's best plus/minus (+13). He recorded 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) in 14 games during that postseason run. Simek ranked in the top-3 in defenseman goal scoring in each of the last three regular seasons before coming to North America, leading the league in 2016-17, ranked T-3rd in 2015-16 and T-1st in 2014-15.

The five-foot-eleven, 200-pound native of Benatky nad Jizerou, Czech Republic has represented his country at numerous international tournaments, including the last two World Championships (2016-17), and recorded one goal and one assist in eight games with the Czech Republic during last year's World Championship.