Switzerland’s best player at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup is 17-year-old forward Yanis Lutz, who leads the team with four points in three games after the group stage.
Lutz, who is eligible to be chosen in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, will make the jump overseas to play for the Peterborough Petes of the OHL in the upcoming season.
Lutz scored the team’s lone goal in a 9-1 loss to Canada, then had two points in a see-saw game that saw the Swiss beat Finland 4-3 in overtime to finish the group stage.
“Compared to the first two games, we stuck to the game plan way better and got it done in our end over 60 minutes and also in OT,” said Lutz. “I feel like the longer the game went, we got more confident, played more with the puck and that’s what went our way in the end and got us the win.”
“He’s an offensively creative player, so he’s a guy who can read plays under pressure really well and create good opportunities for his teammates and himself,” said Swiss coach Patrick Schöb.
Hlinka Gretzky Cup Group Stage Finished, Friday's Matchups Set
After the results of the four games on Wednesday, Friday's schedule will feature four border wars. The semifinals are Canada
vs USA and Sweden vs Finland, while Czechia and Slovakia will meet
for fifth place and Switzerland and Germany for seventh.
Asked about Lutz going to the OHL, Schöb said, “His quickness will help. His physical and defensive games will have to get better for sure, but he can skate, he has quick hands, a quick head – those are his strengths and I hope they use them the right way.”
At 5’11” and just 161 lbs, Schöb agrees that Lutz will definitely have to add some muscle to his frame to adapt to the North American game. “The small rink will be new for him, so we’ll see how he adapts to that.”
“The step to the OHL this year is going to be a tough challenge, but I’m really looking forward,” said Lutz. “After the Hlinka, I have one week off and then I’m going over to Canada, to Peterborough.
“Yeah, I’m really excited, but right now, I’m still here. We have one more game on Friday (against Germany) and we want to win it.”