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Rancidbudgie · 03-01-2019, 02:52 PM

Word Count: 1704

Switzerland:
An Initial Look at the New Federation’s Roster

After lengthy discussions, and a expedited interviewing and processing period, it was decided that the number of eligible IIHF nations able to draw from the pool of SHL players would increase, and the number of participating teams in the seasonal tournament would increase from 12 to 14. The two new member nations, Switzerland and Japan, will join the S46 tournament, barring any snafus.

Both teams will have their work cut out for them, needing to either draw patriots from their existing IIHF declared teams, incorporating those undeclared and with birth certificates for their nation, or simply filling in with IFAs not declared by a previously existing federation.

Switzerland so far has the upper hand of the two, having a slightly larger player base of nationals to draw from. Both teams have enough potential young players from recent drafts, as well as undoubtedly drawing interest from prospects yet to come born in either Japan or Switzerland.

Having an initial glance at the immediate Swiss roster, we can see the foundations of an excellent IIHF nation, ready to participate. A few holes definitely need to be filled, and there will undoubtedly be growing pains for the first few seasons, but a strong starting core ready to grow together is more than some nations have now. Let’s look at a breakdown of the first generation of Swiss IIHF players, starting by age (SHL draft season)

(G) - Charlotta Caspari - (S32) - TPE: 145 Platoon

Currently the backup for the West Kendall Platoon, Caspari has toured the league for almost 15 seasons, almost entirely as a backup keeper. The only goalie from the initial IIHF repatriation draft, Caspari looks to represent Switzerland between the pipes for now, at least until a young heir apparent can enter the SHL, or an experienced goaltender transfers to Switzerland to take the starting job. For now, even having a goaltender off the bat is excellent. But Caspari can only be a short-term solution, being now in their 15th season, and having their age show in their play. A fresh set of pads is one of the first things Switzerland hopes to address moving forward.

( C) Matthew Auston - (S34) - TPE: 1,414

Incredibly fortunate for Switzerland that they get to repatriate a talent like Matthew Auston, who not only has the highest TPE of any Swiss player by a landslide, but is also the team’s only natural centre. Expect most of the team’s initial offense to come from Matthew Auston, an excellent sniper and all-around excellent forward. The inverse of his NHL namesake Auston Matthews, Matthew Auston played in Switzerland before spending his draft year in the United States to impress scouts. Currently on his longtime squad the Los Angeles Panthers, Auston has enjoyed over a decade in the big leagues. Just starting to enter regression, Auston should still have plenty of great seasons left in him, but the lack of natural Swiss centers is something that will hopefully be alleviated in the long run.

(LW) Leo Steuri - (S36) - TPE: 160 Shl

A current SHL free agent, Steuri was a prospect that never quite panned out of the SMJHL, and has been looking for work for quite a while. The product of Lucerne, Switzerland is a decent two-way forward, and surprisingly the only natural left winger on the initial roster. Despite the scarcity of his position among Swiss players, expect Steuri to be on the 4th line for most of his IIHF tenure, however brief it might be.

(RW) Shaun Stephens - (S37) - TPE: 332 Shl

A winger with an excellent shot, Stephens also is currently unemployed in the SHL, the former Edmonton Blizzard draft pick will be adequate for the initial IIHF Swiss squad. He’s already looking to be behind on the depth chart to some of the up-and coming Swiss rookies, but with a good shot, good foot speed, and being a few seasons off of regression, look for Stephens to contribute on the initial roster.. For the time being.

(RW) Sven Niederreiter - (S37) - TPE: 216 Shl

The third free agent Swiss winger in a row, Niederreiter never really graduated from the SMJHL, and now floats around looking for employment. Another fast skater with a decent shot, Niederreiter can hope to provide a scoring touch to one of the bottom 6 roles on the team. After a couple seasons of new Swiss players emerges, Niederreiter will likely lose his job to someone who isn’t on the doorstep of barely being skilled enough for an SMJHL job.

(RW) Nico Gross - (S38) - TPE: 921 Renegades

The second-highest TPE earner on the inaugural team Switzerland so far, look for the hard-hitting winger to grace the top lines for a long time, thanks to his excellent passing game that will compliment Auston well. A S38 draftee, Gross has quite a while before hitting regression, and provides some excellent physicality to a scoring-high Swiss team. Gross is a well-rounded player across the board, who excels at wearing down the opposition and playing the body, and the native of Naters has the work ethic and endurance to take up a lot of minutes, something necessary while the federation builds up it’s young pool of players.

(RW) Sulak O’Hritea - (S43) - TPE: 734 Rage

Looks like Switzerland is going to be pretty deep at RW to start, no? The third-highest TPE earner of the first declared Swiss, O’Hritea is of a similar mold to Gross, hard-hitting and defensively responsible. Unique to O’Hritea however, is their willingness to drop to gloves for teammates, boasting a slight edge in terms of strength and power, something that also comes out in their powerful shot. Another thing to note about O’Hritea - while no face-off wizard, they come off the dot a little bit stronger than the other wingers on this list. Despite fitting well on the top line, I think they might be well-utilized as a second-line centre on a federation that severely lacks depth in the position. Barring a player transfer, O’Hritea might be the best option for 2C the federation has going forward.

(D) Mathias Seger - (S46) - TPE: 376 Chiefs

The blue-line on team Switzerland is both young and sparse, but is lucky they have a foundational player in Seger. The smooth-skating two-way defender was recently drafted at 5th overall by the Minnesota Chiefs in the massive S46 draft class, the highest any currently playing Swiss player has ever been drafted to the SHL. This record is only a representation of the surge in Swiss hockey’s popularity in recent years. Seger is one of four members of the inaugural Swiss squad to be named to the team that come from that S46 prospect pool. Potentially a future 1D, Seger is the future anchor for the Swiss blue line, looking to be the elite puck distributor for the IIHF team that Minnesota knows he can be, as well as a leader off the ice and the face of Switzerland on the hockey world stage.

(D) Basil Magnicotta - (S46) - TPE: 325

Oh hey, that’s me! Basil Magnicotta is already the second-highest TPe earner for Swiss D-men, barring any transfers, which speaks to the rough state the initial Swiss team in in when it comes to rearguards. For now, it looks like Seger and Magnicotta are the top pairing for Switzerland moving forward, and while they aren’t the most developed compared to other nations top-2, the pair have experience playing with each other, and being a winning pair at that. Magnicotta and Seger won Gold at the S46 IIHF WJC on team World this year, where they formed the second pairing for the tournament team. Magnicotta’s offensive “shoot first” style paired very well with Seger’s puck-moving set up man. The two combined for 15 points in 18 round-robin games, and provided additional defensive stability for the team as well. Magnicotta has become quite used to expansions, between the Swiss IIHF expansion and being drafted in the S46 entry draft by the expansion New Orleans Specters 52nd overall.

(D) Timo Vetsch - (S46) - TPE: 155 Shl

All 3 of the defenseman from Switzerland come from the S46 draft class, with Timo Vetsch rounding out the blue-liners born in Switzerland. Drafted into the SMJHL, Vetsch immediately stalled in development, and never panned out into an SMJHL player. Vetsch is still young, but currently sits as an SMJHL free agent, not a good sign for a player’s developmental prospects. Regardless, until some transfers occur or a new, more active crop of Swiss defenseman pop up in the coming seasons, Vetsch will likely see some time patrolling the international stage.

(RW) Timo Meier Jr. - (S46) - TPE: 155 Shl

Similar to Vetsch, Meier Jr simply never showed up to training camp, and now sits as an SMJHL free agent, not seeming to have improved at all since his announcement of eligibility for the SMJHL draft. Meier Jr. might see time for Switzerland, but if enough transfers occur, look for him to be the first one on this list out of a job.

(RW) Seemu Telanne - (S47) - TPE: 220 Outlaws

Currently the only S47 prospect on the roster, and the youngest Swiss player on the team, Telanne already has placed himself way up on the forward depth chart despite only being in the SMJHL for a few games now. Look for him to become one of the youngest players to debut for a senior IIHF team at the end of the season, even if transfers come in with some experience. Telanne is progressing at a great clip, and the Outlaws have to be pleased with his progress so far. Selanne is a representative the beginning of the future of Switzerland at the IIHF level, as he will be the part of the draft class that first sees Switzerland join the main tournaments.

Any Swiss players who still join in S47, and who declare eligibility for future drafts can likely find a place on Switzerland very quickly, given they progress at a consistent rate and simply don’t stop growing. The future is bright for the Western European Nation, and now that they are included in the lofty ranks of IIHF participation, expect more young Swiss stars to follow.

Thank you to Ham and Sulo for the sigs!

goilers · 03-01-2019, 03:28 PM

@Dweaves08 owow

vbottas17 · 03-01-2019, 04:13 PM

Segi · 03-01-2019, 04:46 PM

We definitely have a lot of positions still to fill, but we do have a decent core and I'm positive that we will be able to compete in a couple of seasons.

TnlAstatine · 03-01-2019, 04:48 PM

Segi · 03-01-2019, 04:51 PM

03-01-2019, 04:48 PMTnlAstatine Wrote:

Once again, you play for the weaker expansion team. Tongue

TnlAstatine · 03-01-2019, 05:06 PM

03-01-2019, 04:51 PMSegi Wrote:
03-01-2019, 04:48 PMTnlAstatine Wrote:

Once again, you play for the weaker expansion team.

fite me

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