Dallas Stars defenceman Roman Polak is headed to the Czech Republic next season to continue his playing career.

Polak, who will be with the Stars for the NHL's Return to Play, agreed Monday to join HC Vitkovice on a three-year contract after the season, the club announced

The 34-year-old has four assists and is minus-6 in 41 games with the Stars this season. He is a veteran of 806 career NHL games with the St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks and Stars, and has 26 goals and 140 points. 

Polak has had two previous stints with HC Vitkovice, playing with the Czech club in 2006-07 and during the 2012 lockout. He entered the NHL has a sixth-round pick of the Blues in 2004.

When asked by Matthew DeFranks of the Dallas News whether the signing means that Polak might not return to Dallas for Phases 3 and 4, Nill said that he's heard from the player and cannot compel Polak to return if he doesn't want to.

"We can't make someone come back under their wishes," Nill told DeFranks. "If anyone wants to stay home, that is their decision."