Hockey

Mark Streit, Yannick Weber to play hockey in Switzerland

New York Islanders captain Mark Streit and Montreal Canadiens defenceman Yannick Weber are headed to Switzerland to play professional hockey for the duration of the NHL lockout.
Mark Streit will play pro hockey in his hometown of Bern, Switzerland, during the NHL lockout. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

New York Islanders captain Mark Streit and Montreal Canadiens defenceman Yannick Weber are returning home to play in Switzerland during the NHL lockout.

Bern says it has signed Streit and Geneva-Servette says it recruited Weber.

Geneva-Servette head coach Chris McSorley says the club expects to announce another signing on Wednesday.

San Jose Sharks captain Joe Thornton also expected in Switzerland this week after saying he would rejoin Davos.

Thornton played with the Alpine town team during the 2004-05 NHL lockout season, alongside New York Rangers winger Rick Nash.

Nash is also being pursued by Davos.

The NHL formally locked out its players on Sunday after the collective bargaining agreement expired.

The 12-team Swiss top division began its season last week.

Sabres' Ehrhoff to play in Germany

Buffalo Sabres defenceman Christian Ehrhoff has agreed to play for his hometown professional team in Germany until the NHL lockout is settled.

Ehrhoff reached the agreement with Krefeld on Tuesday, the team announced on its website. The deal was reached after the German Ice Hockey League team agreed to pay about $26,000 a month to insure the player in the event of injury.

Ehrhoff spent four seasons with Krefeld before breaking into the NHL in 2003-04 with San Jose.

The Sabres acquired Ehrhoff in a trade with the Islanders in June 2011, and then signed him to a 10-year, $40 million contract before the start of free agency.

Ehrhoff travelled home shortly after the lockout began last weekend. He's scheduled to play his first game with Krefeld on Friday.