Switzerland comes in ranked 7th by the IIHF & will look to repeat or improve on their 6th place finish last Olympics. The best result the nation has had in a major hockey tournament since 1998 World Championships when they managed an impressive 4th place finish.
When it comes to goaltending, they have a capable team of NHLers & former NHLers. They come with a top end defenseman for their power play unit, but after that, they will rely on a variety of fringe players to provide offense. This is a team who will rely on stealing low scoring games to get anywhere.
GOALIES
Jonas Hiller- ANAHEIM DUCKS (NHL) Jonas had stiff competition from former NHLer Martin Gerber for the starting job, but Martin suffered a recent season ending injury, paving the way for Jonas as the uncontested starter.
Tobias Stephan- SERVETTE GENEVE (SWISS) If Jonas should stumble, another former NHLer will fill the spot. Likely Tobias Stephan.
David Aebischer- LUGANO (SWISS) Despite a so-so year in Switzerland, David is a competent back up goaltender who could fill in if asked & has loads of experience on NHL ice.
DEFENSE
Mark Streit- NEW YORK ISLADNERS (NHL) Probably the teams only legitimate offensive weapon on defense, mark will be the QB of any PP chances the team has.
Yannick Weber- HAMILTON BULLDOGS (AHL) With a couple recent dabbles in the NHL, Yannick has cemented himself on this team as the probable #2 dman.
Roman Josi- BERN (SWISS) Roman is a 2nd round NHL pick froma couple years ago who has had a decent career in Switzerland & will be expected to put in top 4 minutes.
Julien Vauclair- LUGANO (SWISS) Julien comes in as one of Switzerlands top scoring defensemen. He will be required to do a similar role here, likely QB of the 2nd unit PP squad.
Tim Ramholt- DAVOS (SWISS) On his 10th team in 7 seasons, former 1 game NHLer Tim Ramholdt will get considerable time as a #5-6 defenseman.
Severin Blindenbacher- FARJESTADS BK KARLSBAD (SEL) After a decent career in Switzerland, Severin has taken to Sweden & done decently. Has a bit of offensive flair & could fill in top 4 minutes if called upon.
Timo Helbling- LUGANO (SWISS) A couple nibbles in the NHL wasnt enough for Timo, so he came home to Switzerland & will more than likely fill out the teams defense unit.
FORWARDS
Andreas Ambuhl- HARTFORD WOLFPACK (AHL) Only player in North America of note has a lock on this team & probable top line minutes.
Martin Pluss- BERN (SWISS)- One of the Swiss leagues top scorers, he is going to be expected to try & fill a scoring position.
Thomas Deruns- SERVETTE GENEVE (SWISS) The top scoring Swiss player this year will be expected to perform offensive miracles here.
Ryan Gardner- ZURICH (SWISS) Swiss top scorer last season will be looked upon to recreate some of his magic.
Paul DiPietro- ZUG (SWISS) A long time member of the Swiss team, former NHLer DiPietro will be relied on to fill any spots required of him.
Ivo Ruthemann- BERN (SWISS)- Top Swiss goal scorer in Switzerland currently. May make 1st line, but likely 2nd liner.
Roman Wick- KLOTEN (SWISS) One of last years top playoff scorer will be expected to try & find that form here as well. Expect 2nd or 3rd line duties.
Reto Von Arx- DAVOS (SWISS) Former NHLer lead the playoffs in scoring last year. Has offensive touch, will probably be asked to play a 2 way game here as a 3rd liner though.
Michael Riesen- RAPPERSWIL-JONA (SWISS) A former NHL top prospect has made a decent career in Switzerland as a scorer. They will look for him to do that & more here.
Julien Sprunger- FRIBOURG GOTTERON (SWISS) Has offensive skills, but its a defensive game they will expect from him here as a checker.
Sandy Jeannin- FRIBOURG GOTTERON (SWISS) Top scorer in the Swiss league. Might get bumped to 4th line duties or even press box, but should be on team.
Thomas Ziegler- BERN (SWISS) Fomer NHLer for a week, Thomas has put together a decent career in the Swiss league & will be one of their more needed checking forwards.
Adrian Wichser- ZURICH (SWISS) Probably will sit in the press box unless a scorer benched or injured. Great passer who is still trying to repeat what he had 2 seasons ago with near an assist a game average.
maybe- Goran Bezina, Raffaele Sannitz.
When it comes to goaltending, they have a capable team of NHLers & former NHLers. They come with a top end defenseman for their power play unit, but after that, they will rely on a variety of fringe players to provide offense. This is a team who will rely on stealing low scoring games to get anywhere.
GOALIES
Jonas Hiller- ANAHEIM DUCKS (NHL) Jonas had stiff competition from former NHLer Martin Gerber for the starting job, but Martin suffered a recent season ending injury, paving the way for Jonas as the uncontested starter.
Tobias Stephan- SERVETTE GENEVE (SWISS) If Jonas should stumble, another former NHLer will fill the spot. Likely Tobias Stephan.
David Aebischer- LUGANO (SWISS) Despite a so-so year in Switzerland, David is a competent back up goaltender who could fill in if asked & has loads of experience on NHL ice.
DEFENSE
Mark Streit- NEW YORK ISLADNERS (NHL) Probably the teams only legitimate offensive weapon on defense, mark will be the QB of any PP chances the team has.
Yannick Weber- HAMILTON BULLDOGS (AHL) With a couple recent dabbles in the NHL, Yannick has cemented himself on this team as the probable #2 dman.
Roman Josi- BERN (SWISS) Roman is a 2nd round NHL pick froma couple years ago who has had a decent career in Switzerland & will be expected to put in top 4 minutes.
Julien Vauclair- LUGANO (SWISS) Julien comes in as one of Switzerlands top scoring defensemen. He will be required to do a similar role here, likely QB of the 2nd unit PP squad.
Tim Ramholt- DAVOS (SWISS) On his 10th team in 7 seasons, former 1 game NHLer Tim Ramholdt will get considerable time as a #5-6 defenseman.
Severin Blindenbacher- FARJESTADS BK KARLSBAD (SEL) After a decent career in Switzerland, Severin has taken to Sweden & done decently. Has a bit of offensive flair & could fill in top 4 minutes if called upon.
Timo Helbling- LUGANO (SWISS) A couple nibbles in the NHL wasnt enough for Timo, so he came home to Switzerland & will more than likely fill out the teams defense unit.
FORWARDS
Andreas Ambuhl- HARTFORD WOLFPACK (AHL) Only player in North America of note has a lock on this team & probable top line minutes.
Martin Pluss- BERN (SWISS)- One of the Swiss leagues top scorers, he is going to be expected to try & fill a scoring position.
Thomas Deruns- SERVETTE GENEVE (SWISS) The top scoring Swiss player this year will be expected to perform offensive miracles here.
Ryan Gardner- ZURICH (SWISS) Swiss top scorer last season will be looked upon to recreate some of his magic.
Paul DiPietro- ZUG (SWISS) A long time member of the Swiss team, former NHLer DiPietro will be relied on to fill any spots required of him.
Ivo Ruthemann- BERN (SWISS)- Top Swiss goal scorer in Switzerland currently. May make 1st line, but likely 2nd liner.
Roman Wick- KLOTEN (SWISS) One of last years top playoff scorer will be expected to try & find that form here as well. Expect 2nd or 3rd line duties.
Reto Von Arx- DAVOS (SWISS) Former NHLer lead the playoffs in scoring last year. Has offensive touch, will probably be asked to play a 2 way game here as a 3rd liner though.
Michael Riesen- RAPPERSWIL-JONA (SWISS) A former NHL top prospect has made a decent career in Switzerland as a scorer. They will look for him to do that & more here.
Julien Sprunger- FRIBOURG GOTTERON (SWISS) Has offensive skills, but its a defensive game they will expect from him here as a checker.
Sandy Jeannin- FRIBOURG GOTTERON (SWISS) Top scorer in the Swiss league. Might get bumped to 4th line duties or even press box, but should be on team.
Thomas Ziegler- BERN (SWISS) Fomer NHLer for a week, Thomas has put together a decent career in the Swiss league & will be one of their more needed checking forwards.
Adrian Wichser- ZURICH (SWISS) Probably will sit in the press box unless a scorer benched or injured. Great passer who is still trying to repeat what he had 2 seasons ago with near an assist a game average.
maybe- Goran Bezina, Raffaele Sannitz.
RSS Feed