Latvian winger Rudolfs Balcers is expected to be out of the ZSC Lions lineup until January due to a broken ankle, multiple Swiss media sources have reported.
The injury occurred in the first period of a National League game last Tuesday in which Balcers was hit by HC Ajoie’s Jannick Fischer. Balcers has already undergone surgery.
Balcers has seven points in nine games for the Lions this season. Last season, he had 46 points in 63 regular-season and playoff games, helping the Zurich-based club to a national championship in Switzerland.
From 2016 until 2023, Balcers played in North America – first for the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers, followed by stints in the organizations of the San Jose Sharks (twice), Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. Balcers played 170 NHL games over that time, recording 62 points and 50 penalty minutes.
Balcers, 27, is a key member of the Latvian national team, having been a member of the team that won bronze at the 2023 IIHF World Championship and the one that won an Olympic qualifying tournament at the start of this season. He is expected to be chosen for Latvia’s 2026 Olympic team.
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