The Swiss Ice Hockey Federation announced its roster for the 2024 World Championship, featuring a mix of current NHL players and seasoned veterans, aiming to improve on recent quarterfinal exits and capitalize on a strong group play record despite increased NHL participation from other countries.
The Swiss Ice Hockey Federation made an announcement. On Monday, they shared their roster for the 2024 World Championship. This reveal marked them as the last team in Group A to do so. Their lineup? It’s peppered with current NHL stars and seasoned major-league vets. They’re on a mission to turn the tide after a string of letdowns for Switzerland.
It’s no easy feat, though. With the NHL sending more players to compete for their countries, the competition is fierce. Despite dominating group play with a 21-5-1-1 record since 2019, Switzerland’s journey has ended in the quarterfinals for four consecutive tournaments.
Remember 2022? They topped Group A without a single loss. Yet, they fell 3-0 to the USA and faced a shocking defeat by Germany the following year after winning Group B. The team’s strength remains consistent, boasting four NHL regulars.
Let’s talk players. The roster includes forwards like Andres Ambühl of Davos and Sven Andrighetto from ZSC Lions. There’s also Nico Hischier from the Devils and Nino Niederreiter of the Jets, among others. On defense, we’ve got Michael Fora, Andrea Glauser, and others, with Jonas Siegenthaler bringing his NHL experience. Goalies include Reto Berra and Leonardo Genoni, with Akira Schmid from the Devils as a notable mention.
Niederreiter is back, this time as captain after leading the team in 2023. Alongside him, Hischier is expected to light up the scoreboard. Interestingly, Kevin Fiala is missing this year despite his contributions last tournament. And then there’s Ambühl, the 40-year-old veteran, playing in his 19th World Championship.
Hischier isn’t alone from the Devils; he’s joined by teammates Siegenthaler and Schmid. Siegenthaler is set to be a key defender, backed by Kukan’s extensive NHL experience. Glauser’s anticipated move to the Islanders adds more intrigue to the roster.
In goal, Switzerland looks solid. While Schmid might not start due to a tough season, Genoni and Berra offer plenty of skill and experience. Berra, in particular, had an impressive season in the Swiss league, boasting a .929 save percentage and a 2.01 goals-against average.
