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Steen becomes first locked-out NHLer in Swedish Elite League

St Louis Blues v Colorado Avalanche

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 21: Alexander Steen #20 of the St. Louis Blues warms up prior to facing the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on December 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

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St. Louis Blues forward Alex Steen has gone where no other NHLer has during the lockout -- the Swedish Elite League.

The 28-year-0ld Swede has joined powerhouse club Modo, becoming the first NHLer to play in the SEL after the league reversed its earlier decision prohibiting locked out players.

The SEL website reported the news, confirming that Steen is eligible to play in Tuesday’s contest against Brynas.

Here’s more, from Matias Strozyk of Jatkoaika and Elite Prospects:

Alexander Steen officially to MODO. Eligible to play tonight. Doug Murray to Djurgården, if that wasn’t clear earlier. Might play on Friday.

— Matias Strozyk (@MaStrozyk) September 25, 2012


Steen now eligible to play. SEL teams not happy with Modo. Frölunda management described it as “the icebreaker” for short-term NHL signings.

— Matias Strozyk (@MaStrozyk) September 25, 2012


The move represents a homecoming of sorts as Steen played for Modo during the 2004-05 lockout year with a slew of NHL talent, including Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Peter Forsberg and the current Modo GM, Markus Naslund.

It’s not surprising that Steen’s pushed to get back into action. He missed 39 games last year with a concussion -- though he did manage to rack up 28 points in the 43 games he played -- and is looking to make good on the four-year, $13.45 million deal he signed with St. Louis in 2010.

Update: Steen is in the lineup for Modo against Brynas IF, wearing No. 20.