Hockey forward Tomáš Plekanec ended his hockey career shortly before his forty-first birthday.
The longtime NHL player and national team captain was forced to do so due to health reasons and the risks associated with playing hockey at the highest level it would bring his problems.
This was reported on the club’s website by Kladno, where he started and held the role of captain in recent seasons. Radek Smoleňák, a new member of Středočechy, will take over these duties.
The first NHL
Riberio (71) ➡️ Plekanec (35)
At the Bell Center against the Leafs pic.twitter.com/qodrhpXRSH
— Matej Hejda (@matej_hejda33) October 28, 2023
Unfortunately, due to health reasons, I have decided to end this season and also my playing career. I imagine it differently. I’m hoping a few weeks of rest will be enough to get back out there and help the guys in the playoffs. Unfortunately, that won’t happen. “I’m very sorry, I want to help, but it would be a big risk for me,” explained Plekanec.
This season, Plekanec managed nine games and scored four points on one goal and three assists. He last played on October 8 at Mladá Boleslav, where the Knights won 4:3. Five days later, the club announced that he would be out until at least the November international break.
“I want to say goodbye to you and thank you for all the seasons I was able to play here. It was great, even though unfortunately we played at the bottom of the standings, I still really enjoyed it. Thank you for supporting not only me, but the whole club. I hope you will continue to be with us, with Kladno. Have fun,” he told fans.
Even last year, Plekanec played in all 52 regular season games and was clearly the most productive Knight with 49 points on 16 goals and 33 assists.
“You helped us when we needed you most. You are a role model for the team, I can always rely on you.” Jaromir Jágr’s messageclub owner Rytíři Kladno, ended Plekanec
Kladno native Plekanec returned to his parent club in November 2018 after agreeing to terminate his NHL contract with Montreal. He played a total of 313 games in extended leagues and collected 233 points on 84 shots and 149 passes.
In the NHL, Plekanec has 1001 games and 608 points with 233 goals and 375 assists. He started at 11 World Championships, two Olympic Games and a World Cup in 2016. He won silver (2006) and two bronze (2011 and 2012) at the World Championships. He played a total of 104 matches in the national team and scored 28 goals.
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