Munich, Germany - Just three days after his arrival in Germany, Brian Gionta of the New Jersey Devils asked for a release from his recently signed contract in the German Elite League (DEL). Gionta who like fellow NHLer John Michael Liles was scheduled to make his debut with the Iserlohn Roosters this Friday decided to return to the USA for personal reasons.

"This organisation did more for us than we could have asked for," Gionta announced in a press conference Wednesday. "But in respect to the health of my [pregnant] wife, we will return home tomorrow."

Gionta's contract has not been voided yet. But the Iserlohn Roosters are already searching for a replacement.