EV Zug announced this evening that defenseman Raphael Diaz has signed a new five-year deal with the Bulls as of next season. He will therefore return to his youth team next spring.

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The new contract, however, includes an NHL out-clause. If an NHL team offers Diaz a one-way contract for at least two years, Diaz can leave his contractual obligations with the Bulls. If this is not a case, Diaz will return to the Swiss hockey scene as of next season.

The 29-year-old defenseman left his youth team in the summer of 2011 and briefly returned to Zug during the 2012 NHL lock-out. After playing in Montreal, Vancouver, New York, and Calgary, Diaz signed a new contract with the New York Rangers this past summer. However, he was assigned to the Rangers' AHL affiliate before the season started.

There were various rumors surrounding Diaz' future and a possible return to Switzerland this season. However, since the New York Rangers will not dissolve Diaz' contract, the defenseman is bound to stay in the United States until this coming spring. Due to an injury, Diaz has only appeared in ten games for the Hartford Wolfpack, scoring three points. (bsc)