Turris takes off for Finland
Kyle Turris has decided to occupy his time during the NHL lockout by playing in Finland for Oulun Karpat.
The 23-year-old New Westminster native was expected to suit up for the Finnish Elite League squad this week.
"I'm excited to play," said Turris in a press release put out on Oulun Karpat's website. "We're glad that things (worked out) quickly."
According to reports, Turris was signed because Carolina Hurricane's centre Jussi Jokinen, who had been under contract to Oulun, returned to North America.
Turris does have an out-clause that allows him to return to the Ottawa Senators if the NHL lifts its lockout.
Oulun Karpat's roster also includes San Jose Sharks defenceman Jason Demers.
In 2011-12, Turris scored 12 goals and 29 points in 49 games after being traded to the Senators by the Phoenix Coyotes. Last off-season he was an unrestricted free agent and asked to be dealt, but the Coyotes wouldn't oblige until he signed a two-year, $2.8 million deal with the Coyotes on Nov. 22, 2011. He did not score a point in six games with Phoenix before he was sent to the Senators on Dec. 17 for defenceman David Rundblad and a second-round pick.
In late August, he signed a five-year $17.5 million contract extension with Ottawa.
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