Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown has signed with Zürich of the Swiss league, according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period. The official announcement will reportedly come later today.
Brown is just the latest star to give up on waiting for a labor resolution and head overseas, but his move could be taken as more evidence that players don’t expect the lockout to end anytime soon. Brown had been working out in southern California with a large group of teammates and other NHL players up until this point. With three young children at home, we can bet it wasn’t a decision that he made lightly.
Brown won’t be without friends in Zürich. Jeff Tambellini, who was drafted along with Brown in the first round in 2003 by the Kings, is the team’s alternate captain. He has 45 points in 50 games. Their head coach is none other than Marc Crawford.
It looks like Brown’s fated to be on teams looking to repeat, as well. The ZSC Lions are in the top tier Swiss league and won the NLA championship last season.
Other NHL stars currently playing in Switzerland include Henrik Zetterberg, Patrice Bergeron, Rick Nash, Tyler Seguin, and Joe Thornton. For a full list of players signed in Europe, check out this handy guide at the SB Nation news hub. Brown would become the fourth member of the Stanley Cup-winning squad to play for another pro team during the lockout.
UPDATE: Helene Elliott of the LA Times confirmed the story with Brown’s agent.
Does Brown’s decision worry you? Or were you already worried about this lockout as it is?