'Family Decision' Prompts Andrej Sekera's Early Retirement

On Tuesday, Dallas Stars defenceman Andrej Sekera announced his retirement from the National Hockey League. "My hockey career is over," Sekera said, per a report from Slovakian paper SME. "I've had some offers as a free agent, but still I decided to quit." The 36-year-old, 16-year NHL veteran cited personal reasons for his decision to walk away from the game. "A big reason was my son had had some medical issues during the last year," Sekera revealed. "After everything we went through, I realized the best would be if I devoted more time to my family. I thought maybe it would turn around somehow, but that did not happen." A third round pick from 2004 (Buffalo Sabres), Sekera joined Buffalo in 2007-08, where he put up two goals and eight points. Over 842 career games with the Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes and Los Angeles Kings, Sekera had 51 goals and 253 regular season points. https://twitter.com/JFreshHockey/status/1549105975814225920 Currently an unrestricted free agent following the conclusion of a three-year contract with the Stars, Sekera came closest to winning a Stanley Cup three years back with Dallas, when the Stars lost the Tampa Bay Lightning in the final. The Bojinice, SVK. product has represented Slovakia at a number of international events. He earned a silver medal in 2012 at the World Championship. He had a goal and four points in just 32 games for Dallas last year.