Jan Hlinka

Jan Hlinka is a Czech center on Linkopings HC.

Hlinka began his hockey career in the Czech Extraliga, playing 8 years with HC Sparta Praha, and winning the league championship four times. His best season in the Extraliga was in 2001-02, when he had 45 assists and 61 points. He joined the Kloten Flyers in Switzerland for two seasons before playing a season with Ak Bars Kazan in 2004-05. He spent the next two years playing in Switzerland and the Czech Republic before getting his chance to play in the NHL. He joined the Colorado Avalanche in 2007, appearing in 63 games and scoring 28 points. He returned to Europe the next season, however, signing with Linkopings and scoring 12 goals and 55 points in his first Elitserien campaign.

Hlinka has played for the Czech Republic at 7 different World Championships, winning a gold medal in 2001 and a silver in 2006.