Switzerland announced its roster for the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup on Tuesday.
Of the 24 names on the roster, 22 were born in 2008 and two in 2009. The two young players are defenseman Philip Moser and forward Jonah Neuenschwander – the latter played in 15 National League games for Biel-Bienne this past season, and at already 6’3” and 183 lbs, is sure to be the most closely watched player on this Swiss roster.
As for the players eligible for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the group of Swiss forwards includes three who play major junior hockey in Canada – Raphaël Achermann of the Rimouski Oceanic, Maxime Southier of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Yanis Lutz of the Peterborough Petes.
“The Hlinka Gretzky Cup offers us a unique opportunity to challenge our young prospects at the highest international level – this is invaluable for their development.” said coach Patrick Schöb. “At the same time, the tournament is an important benchmark for us to see where we stand compared to the world's elite.”
Historically, the Swiss don’t do well at this tournament, having not reached the semifinals since back-to-back fourth-place finishes in 2001 and 2002.
The Swiss team flies from Zurich to Vienna on Friday, then goes to Brno by bus. The team then practises Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning before opening the tournament against the host Czechs on Monday night.
Click here for the complete tournament schedule.
Goaltenders (2): Pascal Kunz (SC Bern), Yannis Zambelli (HC Lugano).
Defenders (8): Lou Bächler (HC Davos), Joshua Brander (HC Davos), Julian Fuhrer (EHC Biel-Bienne), Laurin Fuhrer (SCRJ Lakers), Lennox Hirt (GCK/ZSC Lions), Gian Keller (EHC Kloten), Philip Moser (EHC Kloten), Vito Thoma (EHC Kloten).
Forwards (14): Raphaël Achermann (Océanic de Rimouski / QMJHL), Thierry Berger (SC Bern), Fabrice Bouvard (GCK/ZSC Lions), Sol Fueter (EV Zug), Yanis Lutz (Peterborough Petes / OHL), Tim Münger (IFK Täby HC / SWE), Jonah Neuenschwander (EHC Biel-Bienne), Niclas Rentsch (SCL Tigers), Nevio Reist (SCL Tigers), Nolan Rohrbach (GCK/ZSC Lions), Maxime Sauthier (Cape Breton Eagles / QMJHL), Kimi Sutter (GCK/ZSC Lions), Nino Schoch (HC Davos), Clemens Troxler (Linköping HC / SWE).
Photo: Martin Rulsch.
