Boston Bruins' Tyler Seguin is congratulated at the bench after scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference final playoff series, Saturday, May 14, 2011, in Boston.The Associated Press
Boston Bruins centre Tyler Seguin is set to sign with Swiss team EHC Biel for the duration of the NHL lockout.
The team says on its website that Seguin is expected to join the Swiss A League team Saturday and could be eligible to play next week.
"Looks like I'm wearing number 9 for EHC Biel in Switzerland till the lockouts done. Excited to play next week. #illmissthebruinsfans," Seguin posted on his Twitter account.
Switzerland appears to be a popular destination for NHL players looking for work during the lockout. Seguin will join Rick Nash and Joe Thornton (HC Davos), Jason Spezza (Rapperswil-Jona), Logan Couture (Geneva-Servette) and Mark Streit (Bern).
Earlier Thursday, International Ice Hockey Federation president Rene Fasel told The Associated Press that the influx of NHL players had the potential damage to the integrity of European leagues, especially if players return to North America mid-season.
Seguin signed a six-year, $34-million contract extension with the Bruins just before the lockout. The 20-year-old led Boston with 29 goals and 67 points last season, and posted a plus-34 rating.