Boston Bruins 2012: List of Bruins Headed to Europe During the Lockout

As the NHL lockout drags on, many members of the Boston Bruins look to lace 'em up across the pond. For many of the European-born players, it is a nostalgic trip home, but for the North Americans, it may be a brand-new world with strange languages, unfamiliar food, unique customs and even wider hockey rinks.

Several players have already signed on with new teams, with more to follow in the near future. 

Find out which teams will be hosting Bruins players for the duration of the lockout.

Patrice Bergeron

Team: HC Lugano

League: National League A, Switzerland

Language: Italian

Frank J. Selke Trophy winner Patrice Bergeron has signed with Swiss team HC Lugano, according to the club's website. 

Bergeron had a brilliant campaign in 2011-12 and was rewarded with the title of best defensive forward in the game. Bergeron joined Ryan Kesler and three-time winner Pavel Datsyuk as a Selke Trophy recipient, marking him as an elite all-around player.

He orchestrated one of hockey's best lines with rising stars Tyler Seguin and Brad Marchand. The young yet experienced center will lead the way for the Bruins upon his return from Lugano. 

NHL Players at HC Lugano: ESPN lists Anaheim Ducks defenseman Luca Sbisa as one of Bergeron's new teammates at Lugano for the duration of the lockout. 

Zdeno Chara

Team: HC Lev Praha (Prague Lions)

League: KHL, Czech Republic

Language: Czech

WEEI.com reports that the Bruins Slovakian captain will head for the KHL. Europe's most prominent league is based in Russia but includes teams from six other countries. HC Lev Praha is the Czech Republic's only KHL squad and will be competing in the league for the first time.

Chara had another brilliant campaign last season. He was a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman once again. As the heart and soul of the Bruins, Chara must remain healthy while abroad or his team will face an uphill battle once the season commences. 

NHL Players at HC Lev Praha: ESPN claims that Calgary Flames winger Jiri Hudler and Philadelphia Flyers forward Jakub Voracek will join forces with Chara in Prague. 

Tyler Seguin

Team: EHC Biel

League: National League A, Switzerland

Language(s): German, French

The former second overall draft choice tweeted that he is headed to Switzerland, just days after signing a six-year contract extension with the Bruins. Seguin had a breakout season in 2011-12, leading the Bruins in both goals (29) and points (67).

Many Bruins fans will fear that the 20-year-old Seguin's stint in Switzerland may slow his development. If the NHL season commences soon, Seguin will be expected to continue his trajectory toward superstardom in Black and Gold. 

NHL Players at EHC Biel: Legendary defenseman Chris Chelios played three games for the Swiss team during the 1994-95 lockout. 

Tuukka Rask

Team: HC Plzen

League: Czech Extraliga, Czech Republic

Language: Czech

According to ESPN, Tuukka Rask is headed to the Czech Republic. The young Finn has become the center of attention in Boston after Tim Thomas announced his plans to take the year off.

Rask has looked like a Vezina Trophy candidate at times, especially in his last stint as the Bruins' No. 1 goalie in 2009-10. In 45 games that season he put up stellar numbers, posting a goals-against average of 1.97 and a save percentage of .931.

After a dropoff in 2010-11, Rask emerged last season as a tremendous option between the pipes before injury struck. The Bruins will pray that he returns healthy from his visit to Europe, as they intend to rely on him all season long. 

NHL Players at HC Plzen: New Jersey Devils forward Petr Sykora played for the club before returning to the NHL last season. 

David Krejci

Team: HC Pardubice

League: Czech Extraliga, Czech Republic

Language: Czech

The Boston Herald reports that Czech native David Krejci is headed home for the lockout and is expected to join defending Extraliga champions HC Pardubice.

The gifted center disappointed last year, having failed to replicate his gargantuan playoff run from 2010-11. Krejci led the NHL with 23 playoff points as he led his team to a Stanley Cup championship, but managed only 62 in the follow-up campaign.

His inconsistent play has made him the subject of trade speculation all summer long. Amid uncertainty, Krejci hopes a brief return to Europe could help him find his elite form once again. 

NHL Players at HC Pardubice: Legendary goaltender Dominik Hasek spent 10 seasons with the club, and, according to ESPN, Edmonton Oiler Ales Hemsky will spend the lockout in Pardubice. 

Dennis Seidenberg

Team: Adler Mannheim

League: DEL, Germany

Language: German

German native Dennis Seidenberg notified ESPNBoston.com that he will be returning to his homeland. Seidenberg spent three seasons with Adler Mannheim before reaching the NHL.

Seidenberg rejoins his younger brother Yannic at the club. The reliable Bruins defender has played his best hockey when paired with Bruins captain Zdeno Chara, especially during the Bruins' 2010-11 Stanley Cup run.

His play a year ago was solid throughout, but Seidenberg failed to be the shutdown defensive force that some expected him to be. A return to Germany may help the 31-year-old recharge. 

NHL Players at Adler Mannheim: According to the Florida Sun-Sentinel, Florida Panthers center Marcel Goc has announced interest in spending the lockout in Mannheim. 

Andrew Ference

Team: HC Ceske Budejovice

League: Czech Extraliga, Czech Republic

Language: Czech

Andrew Ference announced via Twitter that he would play in the Czech Republic. The 33-year-old defenseman notched 24 points last season, his highest total since putting up 31 for Calgary in 2005-06.

Ference has been solid over his six seasons in Boston but could be pushed by youngsters Dougie Hamilton and Adam McQuaid if the NHL returns.

NHL Players at HC Ceske Budejovice: Ference will be joined by Columbus Blue Jackets veteran defenseman Radek Martinek.  

Rich Peverley

Team: JYP

League: SM-liiga, Finland

Language: Finnish

Peverley has opted to join defending Finnish champions JYP (h/t ESPN.com). Peverley was a tremendous role player last year when healthy, managing a surprising 42 points in just 57 games. Although not an ideal top-six forward, Peverley has filled in admirably when called upon to replace injured stars like Nathan Horton.

He is not the first current Bruin to spend time in Finland. Tuukka Rask is a native of the country and played for Ilves as a youngster. In addition, journeyman Tim Thomas tended goal for three different Finnish teams before finding success in the NHL. 

NHL Players at JYP: Michael Nylander, who played just 15 games for the Bruins, spent the 1994-95 lockout with JYP.  

Anton Khudobin

Team: HC Atlant Moscow Oblast

League: KHL, Russia

Language: Russian

ESPN Boston reports that Tuukka Rask's backup will play in the Russian capital.

Khudobin, who hails from Kazakhstan, played in only one game last season, but he certainly made it count. The 26-year-old goalie racked up 44 saves in a 3-1 victory against the Ottawa Senators. 

As a result of Tim Thomas' departure, Khudobin will be relied on to offer new No. 1 netminder Tuukka Rask plenty of rest. Khudobin has flashed glimpses of tremendous ability in his seven career games, posting a .961 save percentage. The Bruins will hope Khudobin can make good on that potential in his expanded role, after gaining vital experience in the KHL.

NHL Players at HC Atlant Moscow Oblast: Hall of Famer Igor Larionov played for the club before going on to win three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings, and former Montreal Canadien Alexei Kovalev spent last season in Moscow.