NHL Players Join European Clubs In The Czech Republic And Switzerland

Czech Extraliga hockey club Kladno "has confirmed that JAROMÍR JÁGR, of the Dallas Stars, and TOMÁŠ PLEKANEC, of the Montreal Canadiens, will join the team as soon as the paperwork is processed." They could make their first appearance in Wednesday's game against Slavia Prague. The Prague-based team is "ready to welcome forwards ROMAN ČERVENKA of the Calgary Flames and VLADIMÍR SOBOTKA of the St. Louis Blues, while ALEŠ HEMSKÝ of the Edmonton Oilers will join Pardubice" (RADIO PRAHA, 9/17). ... San Jose Sharks captain JOE THORNTON is "joining HC Davos of the Swiss League and will fly to Switzerland this week to play as early as this weekend." Davos also expects to add N.Y. Rangers forward RICK NASH. Both played for HC Davos during the '04-05 lockout, "helping the team to a league championship" (TSN.ca, 9/17). ... New York Islanders defenseman MARK STREIT "returns to his home country during the lockout and plays for Swiss club SC Bern" (BLICK.ch, 9/17). ... Detroit Red Wings forward DAMIEN BRUNNER and Montreal Canadiens defenseman RAPHAEL DIAZ "will join Swiss National League A club EV Zug" (BLICK.ch, 9/17). ... Montreal Canadiens defenseman YANNICK WEBER "will join NLA club Genf/Servette." The club is also "in talks with San Jose Sharks forward LOGAN COUTURE" (NZZ.ch, 9/18).