Jan Hejda (born June 18, 1978 in Prague, Czechoslovakia, now part of the Czech Republic) is a National Hockey League defenceman currently playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Hejda was originally selected in the 4th round, 106th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres.

 

Hejda played six seasons with Slavia Praha HC HC Slavia Prague of the Czech league, two seasons with CSKA Moscow of the RSL, and one season with Mytishi Khimik, also of the RSL.

In July 2006, Hejda was traded to the Oilers by the Sabres in exchange for a seventh round draft-pick. He subsequently signed a one-year contract with the Oilers in the same week.

 

Hejda scored his first NHL goal on January 8, 2007 against the Los Angeles Kings netminder Mathieu Garon. The Kings' Konstantin Pushkarev had scored his first NHL goal in the game's third period to send the game into overtime; Hejda's goal in overtime gave the Oilers their 2-1 win.

 

In July 2007, Hejda signed a 1-year, 1-million dollar deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets.