The Czech, who has been defending the colors of his hometown’s professional club, the Kladno Knights, since the 2021-2022 season, explained that he is retiring due to injury.

“For health reasons, I have unfortunately decided to end this season and with it my playing career. I had imagined it differently. I was hoping that a few weeks off would be enough to get back on the ice and help the guys in the playoffs. Unfortunately, this will not be the case. “I’m really sorry, I would have liked to help, but it would have been a big risk for me,” he explained on the team’s website.

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Plekanec, the Knights’ captain, played in nine games this season, scoring one goal and three assists. He was in his fifth season in the Czech professional league since leaving the NHL in 2018-19. He initially joined Kometa Brno before joining his friend and compatriot Jaromir Jagr, owner and player of the Kladno Knights.

“Pleky, thank you for helping us when we needed it most. You sacrificed yourself for Kladno. You came home and helped us reach the first division twice, even though you could have played elsewhere,” Jagr reacted.

“You were a role model for the team and I could always count on you,” the Czech legend continued. I knew that when I wasn’t on the ice, you made sure everything went well in training and games. And when I came back to the game, you made it easier and easier for me because you understood me and got along well with me on the ice. You could have been with your family and not played hockey anymore, but you helped us as long as your health allowed. I wish you the best possible health and happiness.”

In 1,001 career NHL games, including 17 with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2018-2018 season, the Canadian’s third-round pick in 2001 has accumulated 233 goals and 375 assists. He played his last NHL game of his career in a Habs jersey in 2018-2019.