Avalanche captain Landeskog signs with Swedish team

Gabriel Landeskog won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's 2011-12 rookie of the year.

Jack Dempsey/AP

STOCKHOLM (AP) -- Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog says he is headed home to Sweden to play for second-division Djurgarden during the NHL lockout.

Landeskog wrote on Twitter on Wednesday that he was "excited to get back on the ice infront of family and friends."

Stockholm-based Djurgarden says in a statement that it has reached a verbal agreement with Landeskog for the duration of the NHL lockout.

Landeskog played for Djurgarden before being picked second overall in the draft last year, and the 19-year-old left winger was named Colorado's captain in September, making him the youngest player ever to lead an NHL team.

DATER: Can Landeskog really lead?

The Swede says he will miss the Avalanche fans, describing them as "one of a kind." He says he hopes to return to Denver's Pepsi Center "as soon as possible."

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