Switzerland before the World Championship: a roster packed with stars and veterans. But the tournament’s dark horse is haunted by the quarterfinals

As always in recent years, Switzerland is one of the main medal contenders. Among the biggest stars of coach Patrick Fischer’s selection are 5 players from overseas NHL, moreover Kevin Fiala’s participation is still in question, as the Los Angeles winger is expecting the birth of a child.

Although Switzerland has been one of the dark horses of the tournament in recent years, at least in terms of the roster, in most cases the players of the Helvetic Cross will not fill it. Four times in a row, Switzerland has finished in the quarterfinals.

The last time coach Fischer’s charges won a medal was in 2018. Since then, they have not made it past the quarterfinals, with Switzerland falling twice to Germany, once to Canada and once to another overseas team – the USA.

This time, however, the Swiss truly have one of the best squads of any team. Their active, technical and very fast hockey gives problems to almost everyone. Whether it will be enough for the quarter-finals or for the precious metal will be known in the next weeks.

Overseas stars

Probably the biggest star of the Swiss team is undoubtedly defenseman Roman Josi, who plays in Nashville. In the regular season, the Predators’ key back scored 85 points, and in the first round of the playoffs he added 3 more, but his team fell to Vancouver 2:4.

Jonas Siegenthaler and Nico Hischier did not have a successful season in New Jersey. After last year, when the Devils were one of the best teams in the league, many things were expected, but not a playoff exit. Hischier picked up a respectable 67 points.

Philipp Kurashev had the season of his life next to Connor Bedard, scoring a great 57 points and dragging his team. The season did not go as planned for Nino Niederreiter, who scored only 34 points in a Winnipeg jersey.

Experienced veterans

The 40-year-old veteran will be playing in his 17th tournament and will rewrite his record. He will have his friend Reto Berra by his side, who is not missing from the roster even though he is already 37 years old.

Switzerland’s nomination for the 2024 World Cup

Goalkeepers
Reto Berra, Fribourg
Leonardo Genoni, Zug
Akira Schmid, Utica – AHL

Defensemen
Michael Fora, Davos
Andrea Glauser, Lausanne
Roman Josi, Nashville – NHL
Sven Jung, Davos
Dean Kukan, ZSC Lions
Romain Loeffel, Bern
Christian Marti, ZSC Lions
Jonas Siegenthaler, New Jersey – NHL

Forwards
Andres Ambühl, Davos
Sven Andrighetto, ZSC Lions
Thierry Bader, Bern
Christoph Bertschy, Fribourg
Gaetan Haas, Biel
Fabrice Herzog, Zug
Nico Hischier, New Jersey – NHL
Ken Jäger, Lausanne
Philipp Kurashev, Chicago – NHL
Nino Niederreiter, Winnipeg – NHL
Tristan Scherwey, Bern
Sven Senteler, Zug
Dario Simion, Zug
Calvin Thurkauf, Lugano

Source: IIHF, Swiss Ice Hockey