Blues goaltender and Jennings Trophy winner Jaroslav Halak has bounced back from an ankle injury sustained in the playoffs, and is looking to keep his skills sharp for the season -- whenever that might be. Reports had him considering joining the KHL team Spartak Moscow, but apparently Halak's taken a different route. He's signed to play with German second-tier league team Lausitzer and will make his first start Friday.

Goalie Jaroslav Halak has signed with Lausitzer of the German Bundesliga. Jaro should be making his 1st start as early as Friday.

— Allan Walsh (@walsha) November 21, 2012

Halak's season last year was successful to say the least. After a shaky start under coach Davis Payne, Halak bounced back with the help of Ken Hitchcock's system. He wound up with a 26-12-7 record and a 1.97 GAA and a .925 save percentage. Chances are good those numbers will at the very least be replicated against second-tier competition.