today 07:42
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If Andrej Sekera decided to extend his career for another season, and then end it with the captain’s test at the 2023 World Championships, it would be an amazing point for his great career.
The native of Bojnice himself knows best how he feels physically and especially mentally after the past year. He handed over everything to Dallas in three seasons. He accepted the role of a purely defensive defender with little time on the ice. Whenever the coach pointed to him, he did his best on the ice.
He had no health problems last season, but only skated 32 matches. Often only a place in the stands remained for him. For an experienced defender, it was a mental affliction. No wonder he’s thinking about the final end.
As he himself said, he still feels that he still has something to offer, but he does not strengthen himself until the signing. He is more reconciled with sports pension. It’s admirable how he managed to return to the NHL carousel after two serious injuries to his knee and Achilles tendon. His decision is certainly influenced not only by the history of his own injuries, but also by the health problems they have gone through in the family.
The fact that Ax was one of the first promoters of Craig Ramsay’s work in the national team is sometimes forgotten. In 2018 and 2019, he led the national team as captain of the World Championships.
In both cases, there was no point to advance to the quarterfinals, but there was a sense of game progress. The experienced back praised the work of the Canadian and gave her the necessary respect. He was very much looking forward to the Winter Olympics in Beijing, where he wanted to come and help. As always, when his health and circumstances allowed it.
If Sekera confirms his thoughts, he will end up as one of the best Slovak defenders in history. Zdeno Chára is sovereignly in the imaginary ranking, followed by Ľubomír Višňovský and Róbert Švehla, but Sekera belongs at least to the rungs behind them.
Count it for yourself: 842 NHL matches, the Dallas Stars profile profiler final in 2020, eight world championships, two Winter Olympics, silver from the 2012 championship, or the final of the European Team at the 2016 World Cup rank him among Slovak hockey legends. If he finally ends up, he can do it with his head held high.
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