Bruno Gervais signs with German team Eisbaren Berlin

Bruno Gervais won't begin next season in the NHL after the defenseman agreed to a contract with German hockey club Eisbaren Berlin on Monday.

Gervais, 30, spent last season with the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters, with whom he earned 13 points and 26 penalty minutes in 71 appearances.

The veteran defenseman has played in 418 NHL games in his career since being drafted by the New York Islanders in the sixth round of the 2003 NHL Draft.