Ottawa forward Martin Havlat was ready to play with Geneva of the Swiss Elite League, but will instead remain in his native Czech Republic, playing for his hometown team Znojmo.

The Geneva team, it turned out, was one of several teams that Los Angeles Kings owner Phillip Anschutz partially owns.

Anschutz is insisting that any NHL player who signs with any of Anschutz’s European teams not be given an escape clause that would let him return to the NHL this season. Havlat doesn’t want to make that commitment.

“It’s important for me to keep playing,” Havlat said. “I’m a young player and I need to do this if I’m going to keep improving. I’d rather be in Ottawa, but right now this is a good place for me.”