Kubalik heads back to Switzerland after 5 NHL seasons

Dominik Kubalik is returning to HC Ambri Piotta, the Swiss club announced Wednesday.

Kubalik, who played last season with the Ottawa Senators, spent the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns with Ambri Piotta before joining the Chicago Blackhawks in 2019-20 for his first taste of the NHL.

The 29-year-old forward spent five seasons in North America, playing his first three with the Blackhawks before signing with the Detroit Red Wings in 2022-23. Detroit traded him to Ottawa as part of the Alex DeBrincat swap in July 2023.

Kubalik burst on the NHL scene when he joined the Blackhawks, racking up 30 goals along with 16 assists across 68 games. However, he failed to match that production in any of his subsequent seasons, coming closest when he notched 20 goals and 25 assists for the Red Wings.

The Czech winger produced 11 tallies and four helpers across 74 contests with the Senators in 2023-24.

Kubalik did play a big part in Czechia's gold medal victory at the World Championship in May. He collected five goals and three assists in 10 games, helping his nation claim its first title in the event since 2010.