Forward Lukáš Sedlák has left the Philadelphia Flyers and will return home to his native Czechia for personal reasons. The Flyers placed his contract on unconditional waivers for purpose of termination to fulfill his wishes.
Flyers head coach John Tortorella said he spoke to Sedlák this morning and will miss having the forward around.
“He’s a good man. We’re going to miss him. He’s a good man, I’ve known him for a number of years. He’s played really well for us and we’re going to miss him, but this is something that is his decision.”
Sedlák’s decision is primarily for his family. His fiancée, brother, and parents are all back in Czechia and that played into his decision.
“The last few weeks, I was trying to figure it out if I enjoy it and if hockey is still giving me what I want from it, because I feel like my family has sacrificed a lot for me being here. I think now, just the negatives kind of overweighed the positives.”
“She’s studying and working, so she’s not here really now. That’s one of the reasons, too,” said Sedlák about his fiancée.
Sedlák originally played in the NHL beginning in 2016-17 under Tortorella with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sedlák spent three seasons with Tortorella in Columbus before going to Russia to play for Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL. He spent three seasons with them before signing a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche worth $800,000 this past summer. He was placed on waivers by the defending Stanley Cup champions and was subsequently claimed by Philadelphia on October 19th.
Sedlák skated in 30 games for the Flyers this season, posting 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points. He was also a good penalty killer and strong defensive forward for Philadelphia. When he returns to Czechia he will likely play for HC Dynamo Pardubice, who play in Czech Extraliga, the nation’s top hockey league.
