He was awarded to the Crew in a weighted draft a few weeks ago, but wanted to play near home.

It is a weighted draft with, for example, the Super Bowl Giants getting only one chance but a team such as Tampa Bay, which had the worst record in the 28-team league, getting 28.

Because last season was canceled, the N.H.L. has been said to be considering a weighted draft lottery that would favor the teams that have done poorly over the last few seasons, not only the 2003-4 season.