Czech hockey forward Tomáš Plekanec decided in the summer that he will continue his playing career even at the age of 40. He started the 2023/2024 season in the colors of the extra-league Kladno, but an injury at the beginning of October changed those plans.
“I was hoping that a few weeks of rest would be enough for me to get back on the ice and help the boys advance to the playoffs. Unfortunately, that won’t happen. I’m so sorry. I imagined this season differently, I wanted to play in the playoffs one more time and fight for the best possible position…,” said Plekanec in a video dedicated to the fans of his native Kladno, the iDnes.cz website also reported on it.
He also wrote on Instagram: “I’m looking forward to what my new life will bring, for the time spent with my family. However, I still like hockey very much and I believe that I will stay with it, even if in a different role.” Plekanec’s last competitive start in his career was a duel on October 8 against Mladá Boleslav. In the current season, the experienced striker made 9 starts and scored one goal and three assists.
“It is a big blow for us. We know what we are losing with his departure. We are monitoring the situation on the player market and if an interesting name appears, we will react to it. As for Tomáš, health comes first.” said sports manager Jiří Burger from Kladno.
Tomáš Plekanec helped the Czech national team win three medals at the World Championships – silver in 2006 and bronze in 2011 and 2012. In the overseas NHL, he completed a total of 1001 duels in the regular season with a gain of 608 points (233+375) and added 53 points (18+35) in 94 playoff games. He spent most of 15 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, who drafted him in 2001, but also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In addition, he played at club level only in his homeland, in addition to his native Kladno, also for Kometa Brno. He has been in his native Kladno since the summer of 2020. “Thank you for helping us when we needed it the most. You sacrificed yourself for Kladno. You were a huge role model for the team and I could always count on you. I knew that if I wasn’t at the winter stadium, you will make sure that it ‘steps’ the way it should in training and in the match,” his longtime “partner” and club owner Jaromír Jágr reacted to Plekan’s end of his career.
2023-10-28 14:37:34
#played #games #NHL #experienced #Czech #hockey #player #ended #career #Sport.sk
