Hurricanes return Necas to Czech Republic

The Carolina Hurricanes announced Sunday that forward Martin Necas has been returned to HC Kometa Brno of the Czech Extraliga, the top professional league in the Czech Republic.

Necas, 18, was Carolina’s first-round selection, 12th overall, at the 2017 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut on Oct. 17 against Edmonton, his only regular-season game appearance for the Canes, getting 6:54 of ice time.

Necas had seven goals and eight assists in 41 regular-season games with Brno in 2016-17. He scored four goals in 10 playoff games as Brno won the league championship.

In international play, Necas represented the Czech Republic at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, finishing with a goal and two assists in five games.

This story was originally published October 22, 2017 at 1:29 PM with the headline "Hurricanes return Necas to Czech Republic."