Lebeau, Ducks’ Third-Leading Scorer, Leaves Team to Play in Switzerland

Center Stephan Lebeau, the Mighty Ducks’ third-leading scorer last season, has left the team to play in Switzerland, signing a free-agent contract with Lugano.

Lebeau, whose younger brother Patrick also plays in the Swiss league, had eight goals and 16 assists in 37 games for the Ducks this season, two years after scoring a career-high 80 points for the Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens.

He played out his option with the Ducks, in part because negotiations on a new contract were halted last fall because of the NHL lockout. Although Lebeau was eligible to become a free agent, the Ducks had shown interest in re-signing him but had not made a qualifying offer, due by June 30.

“It’s nothing against the Ducks,” Lebeau, 27, told Le Journal de Montreal. “It’s something I’ve discussed with my girlfriend, Chantale. We want a new experience that at the same time will allow me to earn a living playing hockey.” Lebeau was to earn $650,000 this season before the lockout shortened the schedule.