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Longtime NHL blueliner Skoula retires

martin skoula

Martin Skoula, the Czech defenseman that won a Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2001, is calling it a day.

Skoula, who appeared in nearly 800 career NHL contests with six different teams, has announced his retirement from professional hockey, per Hokej.cz.

The 36-year-old spent the last five years playing in Europe -- four in the KHL, one with Czech Extraliga club Liberec -- with his last NHL action coming in the 2009-10 campaign, in New Jersey.

Prior to that, Skoula made a name for himself with Colorado, who selected him in the first round (17th overall) of the 1998 Draft.

Skoula had some solid years with the Avs, emerging as big-bodied defenseman with good offensive skill, scoring a career-best 10 goals and 31 points in 2001-02.

Following his time in Denver, Skoula played for Anaheim, Dallas, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and, as mentioned previously, New Jersey.

He also represented the Czech Republic internationally on a number of occasions, helping the country capture silver at the 2006 World Championships.