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San Jose Sharks defenseman Justin Braun is the latest Shark to use his NHL lockout time efficiently by grabbing an overseas contract with a club team. The defenseman will head to Finland to play with Tappara of SM-liiga.
The 15-time Finnish league champion Tappara announced Braun's signing Friday, according to a report from Comcast Sports Bay Area. Braun's signing represents the third San Jose player to sign in Europe during the lockout, joining backup goalie Thomas Greiss, who signed with a club in Germany, and Michal Handzus, who signed with Slovak Extraliga's HC Banska Bystrica.
Handzus played with Banska Bystrica in both the junior and senior levels after being born in the Slovakian town. He played with the squad until 1997.
Braun, who played in 66 games in the 2011-12 season, accounted for 11 points on the year while playing more than 16 minutes per game in his second season with the team.