Swedish defenseman Patrik Nemeth, 32, has signed a two-year contract with Fribourg-Gottéron, to take effect next season, the Swiss National League club announced on Tuesday. Nemeth is currently under contract with SC Bern and will finish the season with that club – a situation that is common in Switzerland.
“We are delighted to welcome a defenseman of Nemeth’s caliber and experience,” said Fribourg sports manager Gerd Zenhäusern. “He will bring character and leadership to our team. Among his strengths, Nemeth uses his physical abilities wisely and excels defensively.”
Born in Stockholm and a product of the AIK club in the capital, Nemeth was chosen in the second round, 41st overall, by the Dallas Stars in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. After playing two more seasons for AIK in the Elitserien (now SHL), Nemeth went to North America in 2012 at age 20 and spent the next 11 seasons there.
Between 2013 and 2023, Nemeth played 504 NHL regular-season games with the Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers and Arizona Coyotes, recording 70 points and 240 penalty minutes. He also played 33 playoff games, tallying two assists and 34 penalty minutes.
Nemeth joined SC Bern in 2023 and has recorded 26 points in 70 National League regular-season and playoff games as of Tuesday.
Internationally, Nemeth won a silver medal for Sweden at the 2010 IIHF U-18 World Championship and a gold medal at the 2012 World Junior Championship in Alberta, Canada, assisting on Mika Zibanejad’s overtime goal in the final against Russia. Nemeth’s only World Championship at the senior level came in 2023.
Bern is currently fourth in the 14-team National League with 39 points in 24 games. Fribourg is 11th with 28 points in 23 games.
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