Andrej Sekera facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andrej Sekera
Sekera with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2013
Born	(1986-06-08) 8 June 1986 (age 39) Bojnice, Czechoslovakia
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	204 lb (93 kg; 14 st 8 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	HK Dukla Trencin Buffalo Sabres Slovan Bratislava Carolina Hurricanes Los Angeles Kings Edmonton Oilers Dallas Stars
National team	Slovakia
NHL Draft	71st overall, 2004 Buffalo Sabres
Playing career	2006–2022

Andrej Sekera (born on June 8, 1986) is a former professional ice hockey player from Slovakia. He was a defenceman, which means he played a defensive role on the ice. Andrej played for several teams in the National Hockey League (NHL), including the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, and Dallas Stars.

Andrej grew up in Slovakia and started his hockey journey there. He played for Dukla Trenčín in the top Slovak league. Later, he moved to North America to play in a junior league called the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). His great skills led to him being drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2004.

Andrej played seven seasons with the Sabres before moving to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2013. He had some of his best scoring years with the Hurricanes. After that, he played briefly for the Los Angeles Kings. In 2015, he joined the Edmonton Oilers and later the Dallas Stars, where he finished his career in 2022.

Early Life and Junior Hockey

Andrej Sekera was born on June 8, 1986, in Bojnice, Slovakia. He started playing ice hockey with his friends in his neighborhood. As a teenager, he played for the Trencin Jr. team. He also played a few games in the top Slovak league for Dukla Trenčín.

Becoming a Top Junior Player

Because of his strong play in Slovakia, Andrej was chosen second overall by the Owen Sound Attack in the 2004 OHL Import Draft. Just a few days later, the Buffalo Sabres picked him 71st overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. This draft is where NHL teams choose young players.

In his first OHL season, Andrej scored 28 points (goals plus assists) in 51 games. The next year, he was even better. He won the Max Kaminsky Trophy, which is given to the OHL's best defenceman.

Professional Hockey Career

Starting with the Buffalo Sabres

Sekera with the Rochester Americans in 2008

After his successful junior career, Andrej signed a three-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres in 2006. He started playing for their minor league team, the Rochester Americans, in the American Hockey League (AHL). Andrej got his first chance to play in the NHL on November 24, 2006. He said his time in the AHL helped him get ready for professional hockey.

In the 2007–08 season, Andrej played more games for the Sabres. He scored his first NHL goal on November 28, 2007. Because of injuries to other players, Andrej got more ice time and showed what he could do.

He continued to play for the Sabres in the following seasons. In the 2010–11 season, he had his best year yet with the Sabres, scoring 29 points in 76 games. During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, when NHL games were paused, Andrej played in Slovakia for Slovan Bratislava in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He returned to the Sabres when the NHL season restarted.

Moving to the Carolina Hurricanes

Sekera with the Hurricanes in 2013

On June 30, 2013, the Sabres traded Andrej to the Carolina Hurricanes. This trade happened during the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. With the Hurricanes, Andrej really started to shine offensively. He scored goals in back-to-back games, which was a first for him in a long time.

He played alongside Justin Faulk on defense and set new personal bests for goals and points. By February, he was one of the top-scoring defencemen in the NHL. He finished the 2013–14 season with a career-high 44 points. He also led the Hurricanes in blocked shots and average time on ice.

In the 2014–15 season, Andrej continued with the Hurricanes. He had a couple of minor injuries but kept playing well. In February 2015, he was traded again, this time to the Los Angeles Kings.

Time with the Los Angeles Kings

Andrej's time with the Kings was short. He joined them for the rest of the 2014–15 season. He played 16 games for the Kings, scoring one goal and three assists.

Joining the Edmonton Oilers

On July 1, 2015, Andrej signed a six-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers. He became one of the most experienced defencemen on the team. He wanted to be a quiet leader for the Oilers, both on and off the ice.

In his first season with the Oilers, Andrej played in a career-high 81 games. He scored six goals and 30 points. The next season, 2016–17, he had another great year, scoring eight goals and 35 points in 80 games. The Oilers made it to the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs that year. However, Andrej suffered a serious knee injury (a torn ACL) during the playoffs, which ended his season.

He spent a lot of time recovering from his injury. He returned to play in December 2017 but faced more injury setbacks. In the 2018–19 season, he injured his Achilles tendon during training. After a long recovery, he played a few games in the AHL before returning to the Oilers in February 2019. He played 24 games that season.

Because of his injuries and limited play, the Oilers decided to buy out the rest of his contract in June 2019.

Playing for the Dallas Stars

On July 1, 2019, Andrej signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Stars. His new coach, Jim Montgomery, praised him as a very good defenceman. Andrej quickly impressed the team with his puck-handling skills.

He played 57 games in the 2019–20 season, scoring two goals and six assists. The Stars had a great playoff run that year, reaching the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals. Andrej played in 27 playoff games, which was a career high for him.

In October 2020, Andrej signed a two-year contract extension with the Stars. He continued to be a steady presence on their defense. In the 2020–21 season, he had five points and a plus-12 rating in 46 games.

Andrej returned for the 2021–22 season. He sometimes sat out games as a healthy scratch, but he was still an important veteran player for the team. He played 32 games that season before retiring from professional hockey.

International Play

Sekera and Team Slovakia at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Andrej Sekera proudly represented his home country, Slovakia, in many international hockey tournaments.

Junior Tournaments

• He first played for Slovakia at the 2004 IIHF World U18 Championships.
• He also played in the 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was the captain of the Slovak team at the 2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Senior Tournaments and Olympic Games

• Andrej joined Slovakia's senior national team for the first time at the 2008 IIHF World Championship.
• He played in the 2009 IIHF World Championship and was part of the Slovak team at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
• A big moment came at the 2012 IIHF World Championship, where Andrej and the Slovak team won a silver medal! He scored nine points in that tournament, making him one of the top defenders.
• He returned to the Olympics in 2014.
• In 2016, Andrej won another silver medal with Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
• He was also named to Slovakia's team for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Personal Life

Andrej Sekera is married to Katarina, and they have one child together.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Medal record
Representing  Slovakia
Ice hockey
World Championships
Silver	2012 Helsinki

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2004	Slovakia	U18	6th		6	1	1	2	18
2005	Slovakia	WJC	7th		6	1	0	1	2
2006	Slovakia	WJC	8th		6	2	3	5	2
2008	Slovakia	WC	13th		5	0	1	1	2
2009	Slovakia	WC	4th		6	0	2	2	2
2010	Slovakia	OG	4th		7	1	0	1	0
2010	Slovakia	WC	12th		6	0	2	2	2
2012	Slovakia	WC			10	2	7	9	6
2013	Slovakia	WC	8th		8	1	1	2	2
2014	Slovakia	OG	11th		4	0	2	2	0
2016	Slovakia	WC	9th		7	3	1	4	6
2016	Team Europe	WCH			6	0	2	2	4
2018	Slovakia	WC	9th		7	1	2	3	4
2019	Slovakia	WC	9th		7	2	3	5	4
Junior totals					18	4	4	8	22
Senior totals					73	10	23	33	32

Awards and Honors