Andrej Sekera

Slovakian blueliner Andrej Sekera has played parts of six seasons with the Buffalo Sabres. Sekera is a talented skater and passer and could be the offensive defenseman the Sabres have needed since Brian Campbell left in 2008.

Sekera spent six years in the Dulka Trencin in the Slovak league before moving to North America to pursue a career in the NHL. He played Major Junior hockey with the Owen Sound Attack before being drafted in the 3rd round (71st overall) in the 2004 entry draft. While in the OHL he was named to the all Rookie team in 2005 and the First All-Star team in 2006 as well as being named the leagues top defenseman.

Sekera began the 2006-07 season, his first as a pro, in Rochester but earned a two game call-up by the end of the season. In 2007-08 he again started in the AHL, this time in Portland, but when injuries struck the Sabres backend he ended up a featured blueliner for 37 games, performing admirably. In that season he showed poise and talent and was considered the “next Brian Campbell”.

However, upon earning a roster spot at the start of the 2008 season Sekera began to regress. Without his partner from the season before, Mike Weber, Sekera looked lost and inconsistent. Sekera admitted to losing confidence down the home stretch and became a healthy scratch during the 2009 push for the playoffs. Hoping it was a sophomore slump the Sabres placed him back in the starting lineup during the 2009-10 season. Serkera’s inconsistency persisted.

Once again in Lindy Ruff’s doghouse, Sekera was a frequent healthy scratch during the season. Playing in only 49 games, Sekera was plagued by positioning errors and a lack of confidence that affected his ability to succeed on a nightly basis.

When Sekera is on his game he can be a very dominant force for the Sabres. His incredibly smooth skating and smart play make him a player that can take over shifts. Sekera can go end to end and make things miserable for opposing defensemen. He has also developed a surprising physical aspect to his game considering his relatively small stature (6’0” 201 lbs.).

Sekera reestablished himself during the 2010 playoffs. Paired with Captain Rivet he didn’t have the solid reliable defenseman to fall back on, but still played an unassuming brand of hockey. Finishing with a +2 rating and even getting in the first fight of his NHL career, Sekera was quietly impressive.

Sekera was an important piece to the Sabres’ defensive puzzle in 2010-11. He was their best blueliner for stretches and proved to be a stable partner for Tyler Myers. He set career highs in assists and points with a total of 29.

He was also plus 11 which is a huge testament to the improvement in positioning and physical play that occurred. He also scored 10 points in 5 games tying a team record for most multi-point games in a row by a defenseman with those five games. Sekera signed a 4-year, $11 Million contract during the offseason.