 Without coming to terms with the Americans, Schwab signed for his first European venture on a one-year contract with ETC Crimmitschau of the German 2nd Bundesliga on August 1, 2011.During the 2011–12 season he was among the team leaders in scoring, earning top line time, recording 45 points in 45 games to place second on the Pirates.Schwab returned to North America the following the completion of his season in Germany and signed a one-year contract with the inaugural Denver Cutthroats of the CHL.