As NHL defensemen go, Sekera is not easy to define.
He plays an all-around game and is too skilled to be labeled either a stay-at-home defenseman, a puck-mover or a shutdown presence.
A left-handed shot, Sekera can play on the right or left side. He's not overly physical or flashy, just effective.
What you can call the native of Bojnice, Slovakia, is a valued commodity.
A third-round pick (No. 71) by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2004 NHL Draft, Sekera played for the Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes and the Los Angeles Kings before signing a six-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers as a free agent July 1, 2015.
In 2013-14, his only full season with Carolina, Sekera was second in assists (33) and third in points (44).
He made a quick impact with Edmonton in 2015-16, leading Oilers defensemen in goals (six), assists (24), points (30), power-play points (14) and game-winning goals (two). In 2016-17, he was second on the Oilers at the position in assists (27) and rating (plus-14).
After playing 161 of 162 games in his first two seasons in Edmonton, Sekera was limited to 60 games the next two seasons because of injury. The Oilers placed him on waivers June 30, 2019, for the purpose of buying out the remainder of his contract.
Sekera signed a free agent contract with the Dallas Stars on July 1, 2019. He scored eight points (two goals, six assists) in 57 regular-season games and had one assist in 27 Stanley Cup Playoff games, helping the Stars reach the Cup Final before losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.
A seasoned international player, Sekera has represented Slovakia at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, the IIHF World Championship and IIHF World Junior Championship. He also played for Team Europe in the World Cup of Hockey 2016.
NOTES & TRANSACTIONS
- OHL All-Rookie Team (2005)
- OHL First All-Star Team (2006)
- Signed as a free agent by Bratislava (KHL), September 27, 2012.
- Traded to Carolina by Buffalo for Jamie McBain and Carolina's 2nd round pick (J.T. Compher) in 2013 NHL Draft, June 30, 2013.
- Traded to Los Angeles by Carolina for Roland McKeown and Los Angeles' 1st round pick (Julien Gauthier) in 2016 NHL Draft, February 25, 2015.
- Signed as a free agent by Edmonton, July 1, 2015.
- Signed as a free agent by Dallas, July 1, 2019.
