from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

Eight years ago, during the previous NHL lockout, Joe Thornton enjoyed playing in Davos, Switzerland -- heck, he met his wife there -- and it should surprise no one that he’s headed there again.

"Yes, just because my wife is from there, she has a home there, we go there five weeks in the summer to see her family and I actually train with Davos when I’m over there," Thornton told ESPN.com over the phone Monday. "I know the team real well, and they know me. It’s a natural fit for me to go back there and play."

Thornton said he’s planning on flying to Switzerland by the end of the week and could play as early as this weekend.

"Hopefully the lockout ends sooner rather than later, but I have to go play," said the San Jose Sharks captain.

Rick Nash joined Thornton in Davos last time around and appears to be doing so again, sources told ESPN.com's Katie Strang.

more plus addtional players mentioned...