KOSICE, Slovakia – With the Champions Hockey League qualification approaching, Slovakian runner-up HC Kosice signed defenders Jan Homer and Jan Tabacek.

The 28-year-old Tabacek returns to Slovakia after three years in the Czech Republic with Sparta Prague, where he played in the 2007 and 2008 European Champions Cup.

Homer, 27, is under contract with rival Dukla Trencin but will be loaned to Kosice until September 15 meaning he can play in the CHL qualifier in Nuremberg, Germany, September 12-14.