Flames sign Czech defenceman Jakub Nakladal to entry-level deal

The Calgary Flames have signed highly sought-after defenceman Jakub Nakladal to a one-year entry-level contract.

Nakladal is a 27-year-old who shone at the world championships in his native Czech Republic with a team-best five assists.

The six-foot-two, 205-pound right-shooting defenceman has played in the Czech Extraliga and KHL before spending this past season in Finland's SM-Liiga.

A handful of teams were believed to be interested in signing Nakladal.

The Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes were reportedly also in the running for his services.