Detroit Red Wings center Cory Emmerton became the ninth Detroit Red Wings player to sign a contract with a European hockey team in wake of the NHL lockout. On Wednesday, Emmerton agreed to terms with SaiPa of SM-liiga in Finland on a contract that allows him to return to the NHL upon the dissolution of the lockout.

Emmerton appeared in 71 games for the Red Wings as a rookie last season, picking up six goals and four assists. Emmerton was a second-round pick of Detroit in 2006 -- he made his debut for the team during the 2010-2011 season but retained his rookie status after appearing in only two contests.

Emmerton joins the following Red Wings who have temporarily defected to Europe: Damien Brunner, Pavel Datsyuk, Jonathan Ericsson, Valtteri Filppula, Jakub Kindl, Andrew Miller and Jan Mursak. All but Ericsson -- who will return to Detroit after three games -- are expected to stay with their European teams for the duration of the lockout.