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Pens’ Vokoun signs in Czech Extraliga

Washington Capitals v Boston Bruins

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 29: Tomas Vokoun #29 of the Washington Capitals stops a shot in the first period against the Boston Bruins on March 29, 2012 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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Pittsburgh netminder Tomas Vokoun has found work overseas, agreeing to terms with Czech Extraliga outfit HC Karlovy Vary.

The move is a homecoming for the 36-year-old netminder. Karlovy Vary is his hometown, though he never actually represented the local club during his younger days -- Vokoun played for Kladno prior to joining the Canadiens organization in 1995.

A longtime starter with the Predators and Panthers, Vokoun fell on hard times last season. After miscalculating his worth on the open market, he was forced to sign a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Capitals with the hopes of solidifying their goaltending position.

But the plan never came to fruition.

Vokoun was hampered by a groin injury throughout the season, which limited him to just 48 regular season appearances (25-17-2, 2.51 GAA, .917 save percentage).

Unable to stay healthy, he eventually relinquished the starting gig to Michal Neuvirth -- then Braden Holtby -- and missed Washington’s final four regular season and all 14 playoff games.

In early June, Vokoun was traded to Pittsburgh and immediately signed to a two-year, $4 million deal to provide a veteran presence behind No. 1 ‘keeper Marc-Andre Fleury.