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Neuvirth becomes first Caps player to ink in Europe

Washington Capitals v New York Islanders

UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 13: Michal Neuvirth #30 of the Washington Capitals takes a water break at the start of the second period during the game against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on March 13, 2012 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Bruce Bennett

While Alex Ovechkin has verbally committed to playing in Russia, Washington teammate Michal Neuvirth is the first Capital to sign with a European team.

The 24-year-old goalie has signed a one-year deal with Sparta Praha of the Czech Extraliga, according to CSN Washington’s Chuck Gormley. The move is a reunion of sorts for Neuvirth, who played for Praha’s U-18 and U-20 teams before joining OHL Plymouth in 2006-07.

It’s not surprising Neuvirth signed overseas so quickly, as his career is at something of a crossroads -- he lost the Caps’ starting gig to Braden Holtby and is in the final year of his two-year, $2.3 million deal.

Getting back on the ice and playing as much as possible is key, especially since he only appeared in 38 games a year ago, down from his career-high 48 in 2010-11.

The move to Praha also means avoiding any further discussion of his “Holtby’s the weakest competition I’ve ever had” comments from late August. Which is probably a good thing.

Related: Ovechkin prepared to “spent the entire season in the KHL.”