ZURICH – Manuele Celio, the head coach of the Swiss U20 national team, announced the 33 candidates for the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship in Calgary and Edmonton.
Among the seven returnees is Sven Bärtschi, who’s fourth in scoring in the WHL with 12 goals and 41 assists. He will play all Swiss games in the home arena of the Calgary Flames, who selected him 13th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Not on the list is last year’s captain Nino Niederreiter, the highest-ever draft pick from Switzerland (5th overall, 2010). Whether the New York Islanders are ready to release him remains open and also depends on his health status. Niederreiter suffered a concussion last Saturday after a hit to the head delivered by Dallas’ Mark Fistric, but he was reportedly able to resume off-ice workouts on Thursday.
22 players join in from Swiss clubs including nine from the National League A, the top men’s league. Eight skaters play in Canadian junior leagues while three players come from Sweden’s U20 league.
The 25 players from European teams will assemble on Monday for a training camp in Lenzerheide and a first cut will be made following the four-day camp. The team will then travel to Canada on 17th December for a preparation camp in Red Deer including exhibition games against the USA (21st Dec. in Camrose) and Canada (22nd Dec. in Red Deer).
Switzerland plays its first game of the 2012 World Juniors on Boxing Day against reigning U20 world champion Russia.
Switzerland’s camp roster
Goalkeepers:
Luca Boltshauser, Färjestad Karlstad (SWE U20)
Lukas Meili, GCK Lions Zurich (SUI-2)
Tim Wolf, GCK Lions Zurich (SUI-2)
Defencemen:
Phil Baltisberger, GCK Lions Zurich (SUI-2)
Samuel Guerra, HC Davos (SUI)
Cédric Hächler, Malmö Redhawks (SWE U20)
Dean Kukan, Luleå Hockey (SWE U20)
Christian Marti, Kloten Flyers (SUI)
Mirco Müller, Kloten Flyers (SUI U20)
Kewin Orellana, SC Bern (SUI U20)
Anthony Rouiller, EHC Biel (SUI U20)
Dave Sutter, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Dario Trutmann, Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
Mike Vermeille, Genève-Servette (SUI U20)
Forward:
Reto Amstutz, SC Bern (SUI U20)
Sven Andrighetto, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
Alessio Bertaggia, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Sven Bärtschi, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Christoph Bertschy, SC Bern (SUI)
Daniele Grassi, HC Ambrì-Piotta (SUI U20)
Gaëtan Haas, EHC Biel (SUI)
Gregory Hofmann, HC Ambrì-Piotta (SUI)
Dominic Lammer, EV Zug (SUI U20)
Kaj Leuenberger, EHC Biel (SUI U20)
Lino Martschini, Petersborough Petes (OHL)
Devin Muller, Salmon Arm SilverBacks (BCHL)
Jan Neuenschwander, HC Davos (SUI)
Alban Rexha, SCL Tigers (SUI)
Tanner Richard, Guelph Storm (OHL)
Cédric Schneuwly, EV Zug (SUI U20)
Dario Simion, HC Lugano (SUI)
Joël Vermin, SC Bern (SUI)
Samuel Walser, Kloten Flyers (SUI)
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