The worst-kept secret in hockey involving a former Detroit Red Wings player is finally out in the open.
Jakub Vrana has made it official. He is joining the Swedish club Linköping of the SHL.
“I have chosen with my heart,” Vrana said on the Linköping website.
Originally, Vrana was holding out the hope that he would be able to land another NHL deal. He would earn a spot with the Washington Capitals last season from a training camp PTO. Later in the season, he was traded to the Nashville Predators.
👋 Varmt välkommen tillbaka till Linköping Hockey Club, Jakub Vrána!
Den 29-åriga forwarden Jakub Vrána har tecknat ett tvåårsavtal med Linköping Hockey Club.
🔗 Läs mer här: https://t.co/VbRPh92KCE pic.twitter.com/HzdprrxB4k
— Linköping Hockey Club (@LHChockey) August 8, 2025
“It’s been a pretty hectic summer for me, to be honest,” Vrana said. “I left the US, and then I had a couple of options around Europe to choose from.”
As it became apparent that no offer would be forthcoming, Vrana, 29, began listening to European offers. He was wooed by Sparta Prague in his Czech homeland. It was evident, though, that Linköping was his first choice. He played for the Swedish club from 2011 to 2015 before heading to the NHL.
“I personally felt that this day would come at some point,” Vrana said. “For me, it was just a matter of time. I am very happy to represent Linköping again, and now I just can’t wait to get to the city and the organization and start working together with the team.”
Former Red Wings Player Makes Dreams Come True
Naturally, there’s a celebratory atmosphere within the club over the return of their prodigal son.
“We have been very clear in recent years that he has been a dream signing for us, and that we have now managed to land him, of course, feels fantastic,” Linköping sporting director Peter Jakobsson said. “We know that Jakub’s first choice recently has been to get a new contract in North America, which we fully understand, as it is every hockey player’s dream and vision. It indicates a hunger and drive in him that we value very highly.”
jakub vrana going overseas means i won’t get to see him play hockey again but at least i got these moments from when he played in detroit 🫶 pic.twitter.com/DPqQ1XQO5L
— maddie (@vranaluvr) August 8, 2025
Vrana was with the Red Wings from 2021-23. Though he would score 22 goals in 42 games, his Detroit tenure was tempered by shoulder surgery and, ultimately, a substance-abuse issue that led him to a rehab stint with the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program.