Kings captain Dustin Brown has signed to play for Zurich of the Swiss League for the duration of the NHL lockout, Brown’s agent, Scott Norton, said Thursday.
Norton said he and Brown had discussed options in Russia’s KHL, another European league and also playing in the ECHL. Norton said Brown chose Zurich and plans to leave around Nov. 7 so he can begin play on Nov. 13, after the league’s break.
Brown had previously said he wasn’t sure if he would go overseas because he and his wife, Nicole, have three young sons at home, but Norton said Brown wanted to stay in shape by playing games. Brown has been among a group of players taking part in informal practices at the team’s practice facility in El Segundo. Because of lockout rules, the group has had to pay for ice time and can’t use the Kings’ locker room and training facilities.
“He and Nicole felt comfortable with this option,” Norton said. “And Dustin really wants to play, stay sharp and stay in shape with hopes that the collective bargaining agreement gets resolved soon.”
Zurich is coached by former Kings coach Marc Crawford.
Three other Kings have been playing in Europe: center Anze Kopitar is playing for Mora of Sweden’s second-tier league, defenseman Alec Martinez has been playing for TPS Turku in Finland and goaltender Jonathan Bernier has been playing for Heilbronn Falken of Germany’s second division.
-Helene Elliott
