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Tavares signs with Bern of Swiss Elite League

John Tavares

New York Islanders’ John Tavares (91) celebrates his goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of an NHL hockey game at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012. The Islanders won 4-3. (AP Photo/Paul J. Bereswill)

AP

Islanders fans might want to get familiar with SC Bern.

The Swiss National A League club -- having already inked Isles captain Mark Streit -- announced on Friday they’ve come to terms with New York’s leading scorer for the last two seasons, John Tavares.

Streit and Tavares will be joined by another locked-out NHLer, Nashville’s Roman Josi, on a Bern team that should be very interesting to watch this season.

Bern is also home to ex-NHLer Byron Ritchie, who played over 300 games in a 10-year career spent in Carolina, Florida, Calgary and Vancouver.

While the Swiss league lacks the number of transports headed to the KHL, its talent level is almost on par. NHLers currently signed on to appear in the National A League include Joe Thornton, Rick Nash, Tyler Seguin, Jason Spezza, Brooks Laich, Max Pacioretty, Tyler Ennis and Logan Couture.