Calgary's 2011 first-round pick retires at age 30 due to health issues
Sven Baertschi, the 2011 Calgary Flames first-round draft pick who burst on the scene but was unable to find his footing with the club, retired from playing on Thursday due to health reasons.
Baertschi, 30, called it a career upon the eve of the season for for Bern SC in his native Switzerland, despite having two seasons remaining on his contract.
“It’s a painful decision,” he said via statement. “Ice hockey is a sport that demands everything from the body. Like most players, I’ve had a number of injuries that are now taking their toll. After months of training, I realized that my body can no longer perform as well as I need it to. And playing with less than 100 percent, I can’t accept that.”
Baertschi, drafted 13th overall, scored three goals in a five-game emergency recall with the Flames during the 2011-12 season, and then-general manager Jay Feaster said he was likely to succeed Jarome Iginla as the face of the franchise.
However, Baertschi wasn’t unable to become the standout expected of him in the NHL. He was never able to gain the trust of coach Bob Hartley, in big part due to his lack of defensive details.
Over the next three seasons spent bouncing between the Flames and their AHL affiliate, Baertschi collected five goals and 20 points in 61 NHL games. He was traded to the Vancouver Canucks at the deadline in the 2014-15 season for a second-round draft choice, used to select Rasmus Andersson.
Baertschi found a home with the Canucks, and posted an 18-goal, 35-point season in 2016-17, but his career completed derailed after a concussion suffered early in the 2018-19 season.
He played one game for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021-22 but spent the bulk of his final campaign in North America in the minors.
Baertschi returned to Switzerland and collected four goals and 14 points in 36 games for Bern SC last season.
Although Baertschi was unable to become a Sven-sational star in the NHL, he did have an impact on the game in his homeland.
“I hope I was able to inspire many young Swiss players to always believe in themselves. Follow your dreams and don’t let them stop you,” he said in his statement.