Former NHL player Marian Gaborik set to enter the boxing ring.

A former star in the National Hockey League is set to take on a dangerous new challenge inside of the squared circle.

A report from Slovakian media outlet Sport SK has revealed that 39 year old former NHL forward Marian Gaborik will be trading in his hockey stick and skates this month in exchange for a pair of boxing gloves. It has been announced that Gaborik will be fighting in an upcoming event for new boxing organization Fight Night Challenge, an organization that is promoting itself as the premiere tournament in Gaborik's home country of Slovakia.

It has been announced that Gaborik's fight will take place on the 27th of this month and although a number of other fights on the card have also been announced, Gaborik's opponent remains a mystery. It is unclear why information regarding the identity of Gaborik's adversary has been withheld, but if I had to guess the organization is either trying to build up some suspense before a big announcement or they are simply planning on feeding Gaborik an easy opponent to help build up his record in the ring.

Regardless of how serious this competition will be it is a dangerous step for the former NHL star to take. Gaborik is no spring chicken at 39 years of age and that is a very late stage of life at which to be starting a boxing career.

Gaborik will have athleticism on his side to be sure, he was nothing short of incredible during his NHL career. Originally selected in the first round (3rd overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild, Gaborik became the highest Slovakian born player ever selected in the draft and rewarded the teams that valued him for it. Over the course of his 1035 NHL game career he had 507 goals and 408 assists for 815 points, and has his name on the Stanley Cup as a member of the 2014 Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings.

Back issues hindered Gaborik throughout his NHL career, and honestly my biggest concern surrounding the announcement of his fight is his long term health and well being.

Here's a look at the promotional image for the upcoming fight:

I wish Gaborik all the best in his upcoming fight.