Former Capitals defenseman Taylor Chorney has signed a one-year contract with HC Lugano in the Swiss League. HC Lugano has a team option for a second year if all goes well.

This contract ends Chorney’s time in the NHL, where he had stints with the Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and Columbus Blue Jackets.

✍️ L’Hockey Club Lugano comunica di aver siglato un contratto valido per la stagione 2018/2019 con opzione per quella successiva con il giocatore di passaporto canadese e statunitense Taylor Chorney, nato il 27.04.1987 a Thunder Bay (Ontario).

👉 https://t.co/CCTFOeapkv pic.twitter.com/nVL6E87CkJ

— HC Lugano (@OfficialHCL) July 7, 2018

“The Hockey Club Lugano announces that it has signed a valid contract for the 2018/2019 season with option for the next one with the Canadian and American passport player Taylor Chorney, born the 27.04.1987 in Thunder Bay (Ontario),” HC Lugano tweeted, as roughly translated by Google Translate.

The Hockey Club is based in Lugano Switzerland which competes in the Swiss National League and has won seven Swiss championships. Landing a spot on a Swiss team is a significant achievement. Each team in the league is only allowed four import players on their roster, so they are very selective of who signs a contract.

“I’m ready for Lugano,” Chorney said in an interview with his new team. “I really want to take advantage of what I’ve learned and have a great desire to show everyone my value in a different role from the one I was assigned and I accepted in recent seasons in Washington.”

Chorney played 97 games for the Capitals. He scored 15 points (3 goals, 12 assists) throughout his three years. Chorney was placed on waivers on February 20 to make room for Michal Kempny and Jakub Jerabek. He was claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets, but only appeared in one game for the Ohio team.

Headline photo: Cara Bahniuk