After 13 seasons in the NHL, Spacek has called it a career. (U.S. Presswire)

Perhaps it would have been different for him had the NHL season actually started on time, but after 13 seasons defenseman Jaroslav Spacek announced his retirement on Monday.

The 38-year-old Spacek spent the 2011-12 season split between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes. He was traded to Carolina in early December in exchange for Tomas Kaberle. Kaberle had been a bitter disappointment for the Hurricanes after signing a three-year contract in free agency.

Spacek finished the season with five goals (all of which came in Carolina after the trade) and 10 assists.

He also spent time with the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres during his career and finished with 82 goals and 273 assists in 880 games.

Spacek told iSport the Philadelphia Flyers showed some interest in him this summer but never offered him a contract.

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