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New Detroit Red Wings forward Jakub Rychlovsky isn’t at all deterred by the notion that generally, European free agents don’t make a major impact with the club.

He’s bound and determined to be the exception to that rule.

“My dream has come true, I’ll do everything for a spot in the NHL,” Rychlovsky told Bílí Tygři Liberec’s website.

An unrestricted free agent, Rychlovsky signed to a two-year, two-way rookie contract with the Red Wings that could pay the Czech forward as much as $1.74 million.

At the same time, Rychlovsky, 22, is admitting that these latest developments in his life and hockey career do seem somewhat surreal.

“If someone had told me this a year ago, I probably wouldn’t have believed him,” Rychlovsky related to Czech website isport.blesk.cz.

 

Following season in which he led the Czech Extraliga with 26 goals, Rychlovksy became a sought-after performer.

“In the last 365 days, so many things have happened around me that my life has been turned upside down,” Rychlovsky explained. “Last year, I would not have expected my career to take off in such a literal rocket way.

“I certainly appreciate it a lot. I will do my best to move forward in hockey.”

Rychlovsky Ready To Make Mark With Red Wings

It was the Red Wings who won the race to capture his name on an NHL contract. And Rychlovsky couldn’t be more delighted.

“In my opinion, every boy who plays hockey should aim to sign a contract in the NHL,” Rychlovsky said. “Whether you are five or twenty-eight years old, you should dream of entering the best league in the world.

“I had my head set like that, I tried to do everything every day to at least get closer to that goal. Fortunately, I succeeded.

“The next stage of life, a new part of a career, is coming. There are a lot of new things and challenges ahead of me, but I’m really looking forward to it and I can promise that I’ll give my best.”