IHL Acquires Its First NHL Player : Hockey: Senators’ Yashin signs with Las Vegas Thunder, exodus to Europe continues.

Center Alexei Yashin, who led the Ottawa Senators in scoring last season and was the runner-up in rookie-of-the-year voting, became the first player under NHL contract to sign with an International Hockey League club on Monday when he agreed to a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Thunder.

His contract, which includes a clause allowing him to return to Ottawa when the NHL season begins, is believed to be worth more than $200,000.

The flow of players heading for Europe also continued. Two Pittsburgh Penguins, right wing Jaromir Jagr and center Martin Straka, returned home to the Czech Republic to play for Kladno and Skoda Plzen, respectively. King center Robert Lang was also said to be seeking a place on a Czech team. Forward Dan Quinn of the Kings made his debut Sunday with Zug, of the Swiss Elite League.

“Like most of the players returning to their European teams, it hasn’t been for the sake of the economic benefits, it’s for the opportunity to train under game conditions as opposed to sitting and waiting for the labor dispute to end,” said Michael Barnett, Jagr’s agent.

Jari Kurri of the Kings has been in his native Finland since last week, playing for the Helsinki-based Jokerit team, and Penguin forward Shawn McEachern on Saturday became the first North American-born player to play in Europe during the lockout when he played for Kiekko-Espoo in Finland. Boston Bruin forward Ted Donato has reportedly agreed to play for TPS Turku in Finland.

It was also confirmed that center Patrik Carnback of the Mighty Ducks agreed to spend the entire season with Frolunda of the Swedish League after that league voted not to accept NHL players who intend to return to North America when the lockout ends.

“The reality is, he has a chance to play hockey and make a very nice living and I just don’t think the NHL and the NHLPA are about to kiss and make up,” said Neil Abbott, who represents Carnback.

It’s doubtful that Yashin’s contract will trigger a rush to the IHL, which continues to caution its clubs against signing locked-out NHL players. Las Vegas, which several weeks ago signed top NHL draft pick Radek Bonk away from Ottawa, is an independent club and has more financial resources than its rivals. IHL payrolls total about $1 million.

NHL players jumping to other leagues must also pay steep insurance costs or ask their new clubs to bear that burden. Toronto Maple Leaf defenseman Dave Ellett is said to be negotiating with Wichita of the Central Hockey League.

“Most of our teams have indicated they will not be pursuing those players,” IHL spokesman Tim Bryant said.

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Times staff writers Lisa Dillman and Robyn Norwood contributed to this story.