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Segi · 08-04-2019, 07:14 PM

The first of August is Switzerland’s national holiday. This year, the time around the holiday was even more special for a number of Swiss hockey players who are trying their luck in North America. In the night between July 31st and August 1st, the SHL entry draft was happening with three young Swiss players eligible for it. There haven’t been that many Swiss prospects since the S46 draft, but back then only Mathias Seger and Basil Magnicotta have been picked up by an SHL team. Seger’s 5th over all pick was also one of the highest Swiss draft picks in SHL history. This time, FR Finn-Rhys, Noah Andros and Nolan McMahon were eligible to be drafted and all of them got the honor in the first two rounds.

First to go was Finn-Rhys @FinnRhys who was drafted 4th over all by the Edmonton Blizzard. The two way defenseman who currently plays for the Halifax Raiders in the SMJHL was able to convince the scouts in Edmonton of his skills. He joined the team during the season as a free agent and played a big part in the Raider’s big upset against the St. Louis Scarecrows in last season’s play offs.

Noah Andros @Good_Ole_Kimmy who was picked 1st over all by the Detroit Falcons in his SMJHL draft, surprisingly fell rather far and was passed on 15 times. Coincidentally, it was the Edmonton Blizzard again, who finally picked him up at 16th over all. Finn-Rhys’ fellow Swiss defender is currently considered by many to be a steal of this season’s draft.

The third and final Swiss to be picked in this draft was the current back up goalie in Switzerland’s IIHF team, Nolan McMahon @Reynolds. McMahon is one of several goalie talents in the current generation to come from Switzerland and was the second highest goalie picked in this draft. At 18th over all and just missing the first round, the Los Angeles Panthers were able to secure their rights on McMahon.

But the fun did not stop here. The following night, the SMJHL had their entry draft for the season and Swiss players were eligible as plentiful as probably never before. A whole four players had legitimate hopes to find a spot on a roster of an SMJHL team for the next season. And they all did.

In the 1st round at 6th over all, Luca Veccelli @Symmetrik was picked up by the Lethbridge Lions. There he will join the above mentioned goalie, Nolan McMahon. Veccelli has already played in this season’s IIHF tournament for Switzerland and many consider him to be a future top center for the country. In Lethbridge, Veccelli joins a team that has just started to rebuild after the former management has been fired. He already has potential to get a lot of ice time in his rookie season.

In the 3rd round at 29th over all, another Swiss defensive talent, Ursin Zimmermann @UrsinZ was picked up by the Anaheim Outlaws. The Outlaws just come from a game 7 loss in their second consecutive Four Star Cup Final appearance and are looking to keep their strong game up. And with Zimmermann to add to their weakened defensive core, things are not looking bad. In Anaheim, Zimmermann will join his compatriot Lallo Selman who has almost lead the Outlaws to their second ever cup in his first season as their captain.

In round 4 at 35th over all, another promising Swiss center was picked up. Daniel Bischoff @dylanjj37 was chosen by the Anchorage Armada. A team that can almost always compete in the SMJHL, but recently has not managed to win any titles. Maybe the late pick up of the Swiss centerman can help to turn this around.

In the beginning of round 5 at 41st, the last Swiss prospect, Daniel Kuster @kuschy was picked up by the Colorado Raptors. The Raptors have not had a lot of success in the past couple of seasons and often had to play in the first round of the SMJHL play offs. Many experts say that Kuster probably should have been picked up earlier in the draft, so the Raptors might get to add a great late round pick to their roster to make the push to finally get out of the bottom of the standings.

More and more, we can see Swiss players pulling their weight in the best leagues in the world. While the national team in international tournaments still lags behind the competition, the World Junior Cup team that the Swiss form together with Germany and Austria was able to reach the final this season. And with all those great additions, it will certainly be possible again next season. Switzerland is definitely an up and coming nation in the international hockey world and they manage to get more exciting young players to the best leagues in the world.

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824 words, eligible for 2x draft media bonus

BDonini · 08-04-2019, 07:18 PM

Future looking bright in Switzerland

**esilverm** · 08-04-2019, 07:20 PM

Go Swiss!!

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Special thanks to Blitz, jhockey, Ragnarr, and sulo for the gorgeous sigs <3

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*Good_Ole_Kimmy* · 08-04-2019, 07:35 PM

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