Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Bryan Bickell plans to play in Austria

Bryan Bickell

Bryan Bickell #29 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 27, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Blackhwaks 2-1 in the shootout. (March 26, 2012 - Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

Bryan Bickell has announced that he will play in Austria during the lockout, although he hasn’t specified the team he’ll join, according to CSN Chicago.

Buffalo’s Thomas Vanek and Edmonton’s Corey Potter have also revealed their intentions to play in the Erste Bank Hockey League for the duration of the lockout.

Bickell took a step back last season with 24 points in 71 games with the Chicago Blackhawks after establishing himself as a regular in 2010-11.

This lockout comes at a critical point in his career. He’ll turn 27 in March and he’s scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. If the lockout ends in time to save the 2012-13 season, then a strong showing could prove to be the difference between being forced to test the UFA waters and a long-term extension.