World Championships – Group B Preview

4. SWITZERLAND

Led by someone who had a quick cup of coffee as a player in Ottawa in Sean Simpson, the Swiss will attempt to execute their well-known defensive system to make it through the prelims. Switzerland quietly has some solid NHL players in Damien Brunner, Roman Josi, and Yannick Weber and they should be able to beat out Germany, Belarus, and Latvia in a battle for the final quarterfinal spot in Group B.

Coach: Sean Simpson

Forwards:
Andres Ambuhl, HC Davos
Sven Bartschi, Abbotsford Heat
Simon Bodenmann, Kloten Flyers
Damien Brunner, New Jersey Devils
Luca Cunti, ZSC Lions Zurich
Kevin Fiala, HV71 Jonkoping
Etienne Froidevaux, Lausanne HC
Denis Hollenstein, Geneve-Servette
Simon Moser, Milwaukee Admirals
Benjamin Pluss, Fribourg-Gotteron
Kevin Romy, Geneve-Servette
Thomas Rufenacht, HC Lugano
Reto Schappi, ZSC Lions Zurich
Victor Stancescu, Kloten Flyers
Reto Suri, EV Zug

Defence:
Eric Blum, Kloten Flyers
Robin Grossmann, HC Davos
Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
Jeremie Kamerzin, Fribourg-Gotteron
Dean Kukan, Lulea HF
Tim Ramholt, EV Zug
Dominik Schlumpf, HC Lugano
Mathias Seger, ZSC Lions Zurich
Yannick Weber, Vancouver Canucks
Goalies:
Leonardo Genoni, HC Davos
Robert Mayer, Hamilton Bulldogs
Reto Berra, Colorado Avalanche

Player to Watch: Mikhail Grabovski, Belarus, UFA
The soon-to-be free agent is the biggest star of the host country and is coming off somewhat of a bounce-back year in Washington. He missed a portion of the past season due to injury and will look to show NHL GM’s that he’s healthy and ready for next season.

More from International Tournaments

• Senators Prospects set to Face Each Other at the WJC
• Ottawa Senators Prospects at the 2023 World Juniors
• What to watch for in the World Junior quarter finals
• Ottawa Senators: World Juniors Preview
• World Junior Review: Ottawa Senators Draft Targets

Apr 13, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals center

(84) skates with the puck as Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman

(77) chases in the second period at Verizon Center. The Lightning won 1-0 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Player to Watch: Kristers Gudlevskis, Latvia, Tampa Bay Lightning
The Latvian goalie nearly pulled off the upset of the ages all by himself against the Canadians during the Olympics. He also came in as relief for Anders Lindback during  Tampa’s first round loss to Montreal and really energized the Lightning skaters.

Apr 18, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie

(37) reacts after he gave up a goal to Montreal Canadiens during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Tampa Bay Times Forum. The Canadiens won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports