NHL players partially developed in a foreign European country

I started this out of curiosity, and I'm hoping people would chip in with a list of players who have in their country. I'm looking for players who have "properly" transferred into a European country other than their own and played at least one official game there before their first NHL appearance. Off the top of my head, here are such players who have played in Finland (with a ton of glaring omissions):

(nationality, first team in country, first NHL team)

Brian Rafalski (USA, HPK, Devils)
Daniel Tjärnqvist (SWE, Jokerit, Thrashers)
Henrik Tallinder (SWE, TPS, Sabres)
Josef Boumedienne (SWE, Tappara, Capitals)
Toivo Suursoo (EST, TPS, Flames)
Karlis Skrastins (LAT, TPS, Predators)
German Titov (RUS, TPS, Mighty Ducks)
Pavel Torgajev (RUS, TPS, Flames)
Marek Zidlicky (CZE, HIFK, Predators)
Petr Tenkrat (CZE, HPK, Mighty Ducks)
Ivan Majesky (SVK, Ilves, Thrashers)

From Austria:

Reinhard Divis (Feldkirch (AUT), Leksands (SWE), St. Louis)
Christoph Brandner (KAC (AUT), Krefeld (GER), Minnesota)
Thomas Pöck (KAC (AUT), New York Rangers)

A few that came to mind:

David Vyborny (CZE, MoDo Hockey (Sweden), Blue Jackets)
Frantisek Kaberle (CZE, MoDo Hockey (Sweden), Thrashers)
Espen Knutsen (NOR, Djurgården (Sweden), Mighty Ducks)
Martin Gerber (SUI, Färjestad (Sweden), Mighty Ducks)

Not that Brian Rafalski played a season for Brynäs in Sweden too before he moved to Finland.

A few that came to mind:

David Vyborny (CZE, MoDo Hockey (Sweden), Blue Jackets)
Frantisek Kaberle (CZE, MoDo Hockey (Sweden), Thrashers)
Espen Knutsen (NOR, Djurgården (Sweden), Mighty Ducks)
Martin Gerber (SUI, Färjestad (Sweden), Mighty Ducks)

Not that Brian Rafalski played a season for Brynäs in Sweden too before he moved to Finland.

For Sweden, also Vesa Toskala (FIN, Färjestad, Sharks) and Petteri Nummelin (FIN, Frölunda, Blue Jackets).

Critobal Huet (FRA, Lugano, Los Angeles)
Radovan Somik (SVK, Zlin, Philadelphia)
Lubomir Sekeras (SVK, Trinec, Minnesota)
Mariusz Czerkawski (POL, Djurgården, Boston)

Martin Strbak has played in three different foreign countries beside his native Slovakia before joining the NHL: Czechia (Litvinov and Vsetin), Russia (Yaroslavl) and Finland (HPK).

Konstantin Koltsov (BLR, 4 Russian teams, Pittsburgh)
Jiri Hudler (CZE, Ak Bars, Detroit)

Kari Haakana (FIN, Star Bulls Rosenheim/Germany, Edmonton Oilers)
Andreas Salmosson (SWE, Ratinger Löwen, New Jersey Devils)
Mike Rosati (Italo-Canadien, Italy + Germany, Washington Capitals)
Jan Benda (Germany (born in Belgium), played in TCH/FIN/NorthAmerica/Russia/Germany, Washington Capitals)

[QUOTE=Laituri]I'm looking for players who have "properly" transferred into a European country other than their own and played at least one official game there before their first NHL appearance.

I would like to remind that Brian Rafalski appeared for two seasons in HIFK Helsinki after HPK.
Don't forget such players as Nils Ekman (from Sweden to Blues Espoo in Finland and then San Jose), Michael Holmqvist (Swe - TPS Turku, Finland - Anaheim) and Eric Perrin (from IHL to Finland for 3 seasons and then Tampa Bay).

Jiri Dopita (CZE) played in Germany before his NHL stint
Robo Svehla (SVK) played in Sweden before coming to the NHL
Pavel Patera (CZE) played in Sweden (AIK) before the NHL

Jiri Dopita (CZE) played in Germany before his NHL stint
Robo Svehla (SVK) played in Sweden before coming to the NHL
Pavel Patera (CZE) played in Sweden (AIK) before the NHL

Marek Židlický (CZE) played in Finland (Jokerit) until someone finally woke up in the NHL. Now the Predators have a gem...

Marek Židlický (CZE) played in Finland (Jokerit) until someone finally woke up in the NHL. Now the Predators have a gem...

Oh. Just found out this is not a surprise for you. Guess I forgot to read :shakehead :)

Jan Benda (Germany (born in Belgium),

Yeah. Jan Benda - that´s a typical Belgian :lol

Yeah. Jan Benda - that´s a typical Belgian :lol

I got one! Jiri Slegr played somewhere in Finland before the NHL

Yeah. Jan Benda - that´s a typical Belgian :lol
It didn't say he was a belgian :P He's a german of czech descent born in Belgium.

I got one! Jiri Slegr played somewhere in Finland before the NHL

Slegr never played in Finland. Also Zidlicky's club in Finland was (or is now) HIFK.

Slegr never played in Finland. Also Zidlicky's club in Finland was (or is now) HIFK.

True. Got it mixed up :shakehead. Šlégr played in Sweden (Soderstajle I think). In the 96-97 season I believe...

Another name is Čaloun. Great stats in Finland. Not saying he had/has a great NHL career though but another example. But if someone can name Patera, hell we can name just about anybody :)