Foreign players in Swiss hockey league in 2001/02

Name: Andrusak Greg
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 14.11.1969
Position: Defense
League NLA
Club: HC Lugano
Other: Called as reinforcement for the play-offs, Greg Andrusak comes to Lugano from the german superior hockey League DEL. Playing for Berlin Capitals he scored 15 points this season. Andrusak has already been once in Switzerland, during 1998/99 he was signed to HC Geneve-Servette. His NHL-career is 41 games with Pittsburgh and Toronto.

Name: Armstrong Derek
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 23.04.1974
Position: Center
League NLA
Club: SC Bern
Other: Derek Armstrong played during the season of 2000/2001 some games for the New York Rangers. But most of the time he spent with the Hartford Wolf Packs in the AHL. In 80 games he scored 32 goals and 75 assists, and won the John B. Sollberger trophy as the best scorer of the League . Moreover he was elected MVP of the regular season (Les Cunningham Award). His contract in Switzerland ends 2002.

Name: Amodeo Domenic
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: @
Position: Forward
League NLB
Club: EHC Basel
Other: Amodeo was signed by EHC Basel to replace Steve Potvin, who was out with a broken foot. Well-known in Switzerland, playing between 1997-2000 for GC and HC Thurgau, Amodeo scored 88 goals and assists each. After Potvin's recovery, Amodeo's contract wasn't reconducted, and he left Switzerland to join the London Knights.

Name: Bashkirov Andrej
Nationality: RUS
Date of birth: 22.06.1970
Position: Left Wing
League NLA
Club: Lausanne HC
Other: In 2000/2001 Andrej Bashkirov had 18 games with the Montreal Canadians in the NHL, where he got 3 assist points. Playing 59 games for the Quebec Citadelles (AHL), he was more successful. Bashkirov scored there 18 goals and 26 assists during the whole season, including the play-off. Bashkirov is signed to HC Lausanne untli 2002.

Name: Belov Oleg
Nationality: RUS
Date of birth: 20.04.1973
Position: Forward
League NLA
Club: SC Rapperswil-Jona
Other: An
Other: reinforcement signed for the play-offs. Belov spent the last three years in Jönköping (SWE). Before that, he was mostly engaged in the IHL. During 1996/97 Belov played in Switzerland for EHC Chur in the minor League NLB. His statistic there was 45 points in 28 games. As part of the russian national Team, Belov played 75 times during 1995-1998 (WC Stockholm, Helsinki, Zurich).

Name: Bélanger Chris
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 04.04.1972
Position: Defense
League NLB
Club: Grasshoppers
Other: Chris Bélanger has been already playing in Switzerland in 1999/2000. He was engaged by EV Zug, but only for a few games. In 2000/2001 he signed to HC Ajoie for one season. Inspite of Bélanger's good performance, he was not given a new contract, because HC Ajoie wanted to play with two foreign forwards during the period of 2001/2002.

Name: Bélanger Jesse
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 15.06.1969
Position: Center
League NLB
Club: HC La Chaux-de-Fonds
Other: Jesse Bélanger spent the period of 2000/2001 mostly with the Chicago Volves (IHL), but had also the opportunity to perform 12 games with the New York Islanders in the NHL.

Name: Bohonos Lonny
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 20.05.1973
Position: Forward
League NLA
Club: HC Davos
Other: Before signing to HC Davos for the season 2000/2001, Lonny Bohonos scored for Manitoba in the AHL. In his first year of competition in Switzerland he totalized 28 goals and 23 assists.

Name: Bonin Brian
Nationality: USA
Date of birth: 28.11.1973
Position: Center
League NLA
Club: SC Langnau
Other: In 2000/2001 Brian Bonin mostly played for the Cleveland Lumberjacks in the IHL. He totalized there 77 points in 72 games. Bonin actually hoped to get a contract with the Minnesota Wild. Unfortunately he wasn't given that chance, that's why he decided to change to Europe and signed the a contract with SC Langnau. He should probably stay there until 2002.

Name: Bowtell Cody
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 25.04.1974
Position: Center
League NLB
Club: EHC Biel
Other: After a serious injury to Jean-Jacques Daigneault, Cody Bowtell was called for replacement. He spent the current season in Germany (Bad Tölz). Before that, Bowtell was mostly playing in AHL and
Other: American minor League s.

Name: Bozon Philippe
Nationality: F
Date of birth: 30.11.1966
Position: Forward
League NLB
Club: HC Geneve-Serette
Other: Philippe Bozon was one of the most outstanding players in Switzerland's top League . Thanks' to the generosity of the Anschutz Group he was convinced with a lot of money to sign a contract with Geneva in the minor League NLB. During 2000/2001 Bozon was playing for HC Lugano. He scored 44 points in 41 games and was vice-champion with his team (lost finals agains ZSC Lions). Contract with HC Servette ends 2003.

Name: Cowie Rob
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 03.11.1967
Position: Defense
League NLA
Club: EV Zug
Other: An
Other: player who was called as reinforcement for the play-off. Coming from Jokerit Helsinki (FIN), Cowie is considered 9th on the scoring list of the defense players in the finnish elite series. Already playing in Switzerland in 1996/97, he spent the following years with the Berlin Polar Bears (GER). Before that, Cowie had 78 games in the NHL, where he was signed to Los Angeles Kings.

Name: Daigneault Jean-Jacques
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 12.10.1965
Position: Defense
League NLB
Club: EHC Biel
Other: Being called in december, Jean-Jacques Daigneault signed a contract untli the end of the 2001/2002 season. Due to a sudden knee injury, it's uncertain if he will be able to play again during this period.

Name: DiPietro Paul
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 08.09.1970
Position: Forward
League NLA
Club: EV Zug
Other: Paul DiPietro is playing in Switzerland since 1998. After one season with HC Ambri-Piotta, he signed to EV Zug in 2000/2001. His statistic for the period of 2001/2002 is 26 goals and 29 assist points, scored during 43 games with EV Zug.

Name: Dubé Yannick
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 14.06.1974
Position: Forward
League NLB
Club: EHC Olten
Other: Coming from Bad Tölz (2nd German Bundesliga), Yanick Dubé will join the team to which he was signed in 1996/1997. Moreover, on his side he will find his teammate Albert Malgin with whom he was already playing during this time. His contract with Olten ends 2002.

Name: Elik Todd
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 15.04.1966
Position: Forward
League NLA
Club: EV Zug
Other: Todd Elik is playing in Switzerland since 1998/1999. He started with SC Langnau, and secured on his own their maintain in the top League NLA. Looking for better financial conditions he signed to EV Zug in 2000/2001.

Name: Ferguson Craig
Nationality: USA / CAN
Date of birth: 08.04.1970
Position: Forward
League NLA
Club: HC Fribourg-Gottéron
Other: Craig Ferguson is playing in Switzerland since 2000/2001. He has always been employed by Fribourg-Gotteron. In his first season in Switzerland Ferguson had 38 points in 42 games.

Name: Franzén Rikard
Nationality: SWE
Date of birth: 21.03.1968
Position: Defense
League NLA
Club: SC Bern
Other: Coming from AIK Stockholm, Rikard Franzén signed to SC Bern for one season (2001/2002).

Name: Gahn Kristian
Nationality: SWE
Date of birth: 17.02.1972
Position: Center
League NLA
Club: EHC Chur
Other: An
Other: player from AIK Stockholm. During the last season with this
Club: , he had 50 games where he scored 14 goals and 21 assist points. Gahn was also 34 times member of the Swedish national team. The contract given by EHC Chur ends 2002.

Name: Galchenyuk Aleksandr
Nationality: Belarus
Date of birth: 29.07.1967
Position: Center
League NLB
Club: HC Sierre
Other: Galchenyuk has been playing for Asiago (Italy) during the season of 2000/2001. In 49 games, he totalized 21 goals and 71 assists. Unfortunately he was injured during the pre-season preparation with HC Sierre and was not able to participate at the regular championship. He left HC Sierre in November, and was therefore replaced by Rod Hinks.

Name: Gaul Michael
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 22.04.1973
Position: Defense
League NLA
Club: HC Fribourg-Gottéron
Other: Gaul has been playing for Syracuse Crunch (AHL) during the season of 2000/2001. He scored 61 points, which is unusually for a defensive player. Being for the first time in Switzerland, Gaul is signed to Fribourg-Gottéron until 2002.

Name: Glowa Kelly
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 11.08.1963
Position: Forward
League NLB
Club: HC Sierre
Other: Kelly Glowa is probably one of the best known foreign players who have ever been in Switzerland. His first season here was 1985/86, playing for HC Sierre. After ten years spent with Sierre, Martigny and Langnau, Glowa left Switzerland in 1996. Despite of his age, Sierre re-signed this player for the period of 2000/2001. During that season Kelly Glowa had 39 games, where he scored 32 goals and 35 assist points.

Name: Hämäläinen Erik
Nationality: FIN
Date of birth: 28.04.1965
Position: Defense
League NLA
Club: SC Langnau
Other: Erik Hämälainen was member of the finnish world-champion team of 1995. Up to now he has been playing 108 games with the national team of Finland. The same year he also won the European Cup with Jokerit Helsinki. Before changing to Switzerland, Hämäläinen was signed to Lukko Rauma (FIN) during the season of 2000/2001. Hämäläinen is signed to Langnau until 2002.

Name: Heaphy Shawn
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 27.11.1968
Position: Forward
League NLB
Club: HC Ajoie
Other: Shawn Heaphy is playing in Switzerland since the season of 1997/1998. Before that time he was member of a college team in Michigan. First he was signed to EHC Biel-Bienne for two years (1997-1999). Receiving a better offer from Geneva he changed and spent there an
Other: two years (1999-2001). The new contract with HC Ajoie was uncertain for a long time, but has finally been confirmed. Financial problems of the
Club: had retarded the signing. The contract with HC Ajoie ends 2002.

Name: Hinks Rod
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 11.04.1973
Position: Forward
League NLB
Club: HC Sierre
Other: Called by HC Sierre to replace the injured Aleksandr Galchenyuk. Unsatisfying performance was the reason to end the contract in december 2001.

Name: Hruska David
Nationality: CZ
Date of birth: 08.01.1977
Position: Forward
League NLA
Club: EHC Kloten
Other: Being playing for HC Havirov (CZ), David Hruska joins EHC Kloten to reinforce the team during the play-off. In the current season, he is number one in goal scoring in the Czech extraliga (31 goals). With 46 points, he is considered 7th in the overall ranking.

Name: Huet Cristobal
Nationality: F
Date of birth: 03.09.1975
Position: Goalkeeper
League NLA
Club: HC Lugano
Other: Cristobal Huet signed to HC Lugano in 1998/99. Thank's to the ability of this great goaltender, it was possible for Lugano to win the Swiss champion's title in 1999.

Name: Juhlin Patrik
Nationality: SWE
Date of birth: 24.04.1970
Position: Forward
League NLA
Club: SC Bern
Other: Patrik Juhlin was called by SC Bern for the period of 1999/2000. In his first season in Switzerland, he had 31 points in 33 games. Confirming that good result in 2000/2001 (43p/44g), he was given a new contract for an
Other: season with SC Bern.

Name: Julien Stéphane
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 07.04.1974
Position: Defense
League NLB
Club: EHC Basel
Other: First playing in Switzerland in 1997/98, Julien had a few games for Lausanne HC. After two years intermission, he signed a contract with HC Sierre for the period of 2000/2001. Although playing in the defense, Julien amassed 56 scoring points in 38 games. That's also the reason why he was called by EHC Basel to sign for the season 2001/2002.

Name: Ketola Stefan
Nationality: SWE
Date of birth: 09.02.1972
Position: Forward
League NLB
Club: EHC Visp
Other: Ketola is playing is Switzerland since 1999/2000. He signed the contract with EHC Visp at the same time as Richard Laplante. During his first year in Switzerland, Ketola scored 61 points in 35 games. The following was even better, and his statistic was 75p/40g. No question that Ketola was signed for an
Other: year.

Name: Lachance Bob
Nationality: USA
Date of birth: 01.02.1974
Position: Forward
League NLA
Club: HC Lugano
Other: Coming from Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders farmteam), Bob Lachance signed a contract until the end of the current season (2001/2002).

Name: Laplante Richard
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 15.03.1967
Position: Forward
League NLB
Club: EHC Visp
Other: Richard Laplante was already playing is Switzerland some games for HC La-Chaux-de-Fonds in 1996/1997. Since 1999/2000 he has been signed to EHC Visp like his teammate Stefan Ketola. Laplante even refused to sign several contracts with
Other:
Club: s, who willed him a lot more money than EHC Visp. His scoring statistic is 53p/36g in 1999/2000, and 72p/40g in 2000/2001.

Name: Lebeau Pat
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 17.03.1970
Position: Forward
League NLB
Club: HC La-Chaux-de-Fonds
Other: Pat Lebeau is signed until the end of the season to replace Waleri Shirjajew, who is currently engaged at the olympic winter games in Salt Lake City (Ukraine national team). Lebeau has already been playing for La-Chaux-de-Fonds in 1997/98, together with his br
Other: Stéphane. After that he joined
Other: Swiss NLA-teams (Ambri-Piotta and ZSC Lions).

Name: Lindberg Chris
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 16.04.1967
Position: Forward
League NLA
Club: HC Lugano
Other: Chris Lindberg played for the first time in Switzerland in 1996/97. After being signed to GC, Zug, Rapperswil and ZSC Lions for each one season, he is part of HC Lugano since 2000/2001. During that period his scoring was 17 points in 19 games.

Name: Lipiansky Jan
Nationality: SLK
Date of birth: 23.07.1974
Position: Forward
League NLA
Club: HC Ambri-Piotta
Other: Czech champion with Vsetin in 2000/2001, Jan Lipiansky was signed to Ässät Pori (FIN) for the current period. Having 21 points, he was considered 4th best forward in this team.

Name: Malgin Albert
Nationality: RUS
Date of birth: 01.09.1966
Position: Forward
League NLB
Club: EHC Olten
Other: Albert Malgin first came to Switzerland in 1993/94 to play 3 seasons with EHC Chur and one season with EHC Biel. After that he signed a contract with EHC Olten in 1996/97 where he is playing up to date his sixth season in a row. The period of 2000/01 was very successful for Albert Malgin. He had 70 points in 40 games, including 26 goals and 44 assists.

Name: Maneluk Mike
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 10.01.1973
Position: Forward
League NLA
Club: HC Lugano
Other: In 2000/2001 Mike Maneluk was signed to the Columbus Blue Jackets. In 39 games he scored 6 points and got 33 minutes of penalties. Playing for HC Lugano he will join his teammate from Columbus, Pettri Nummelin. Maneluk's contract ends 2002.

Name: Marha Josef
Nationality: CZ
Date of birth: 02.06.1976
Position: Center
League NLA
Club: HC Davos
Other: Signed to the Chicago Blackhawks, Marha spent most of the time with the Norfolk Admirals in the AHL. During the season 2000/2001 he had 69 games with this team, and he scored 55 points.

Name: Martikainen Kari
Nationality: FIN
Date of birth: 25.09.1968
Position: Defense
League NLA
Club: Rapperswil-Jona
Other: Swiss Champion with ZSC Lions in 1999/2000, Martikainen is signed to Rapperswil since 2000/2001. During 44 games, he scored 13 goals and got 25 assist points.

Name: McKim Andrew
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 06.07.1970
Position: Forward
League NLA
Club: ZSC Lions
Other: Andrew McKim signed to the ZSC Lions for the season 2000/2001. After 18 games in the regular season he was victim of a rude foul. As a result of that, he needed to definitively end his career in fall 2001.

Name: McTavish Dale
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 28.02.1972
Position: Forward
League NLA
Club: Rapperswil-Jona
Other: Coming from the Finnish elite-series, McTavish signed to Rapperswil in 2000/2001. In his first season in Switzerland he had 24 goals and 19 assists during 44 games.

Name: Myrvold Anders
Nationality: NOR
Date of birth: 12.08.1975
Position: Defense
League NLA
Club: HC Fribourg-Gottéron
Other: First norwegian hockey player to join a Swiss team. Playing for years in USA/Canada, Myrvold belongs to the New York Islanders. Lately he was engaged by the Harford Wolf Packs.

Name: Nilsson Frederik
Nationality: SWE
Date of birth: 16.04.1971
Position: Forward
League NLA
Club: Kloten Flyers
Other: 2001/2001 will be Nilsson's third consecutive season for Kloten. Signed in 1999/2000, his scoring was 19p/33g. Having 44 games the following period, Nilsson scored 32 points.

Name: Nummelin Petri
Nationality: FIN
Date of birth: 25.11.1972
Position: Defense
League NLA
Club: HC Lugano
Other: Petri Nummelin is a well-known player in Switzerland. He has already been wearing the dress of HC Davos for three seasons. In 2000 he changed to the NHL, and signed a contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. In 2000/2001 Nummelin scored 4 goals and 12 assist points. Playing now for Lugano, he will join Mike Maneluk, his teammate from Columbus. Nummelin is signed to Lugano until 2003.

Name: O'Sullivan Chris
Nationality: USA
Date of birth: 15.05.1974
Position: Defense
League NLA
Club: Kloten Flyers
Other: Chris O'Sullivan was playing for the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks during the season 2000/2001. Despite his
Position: in the defense, he scored 49 points in 60 games which was the 3rd best result in his team. The contract with Kloten ends 2002.

Name: Panteleev Grigori
Nationality: LAT
Date of birth: 13.11.1972
Position: Left wing
League NLB
Club: EHC Olten
Other: Latvian national player (70 games), called by EHC Olten to replace the injured Yanick Dubé. Last playing in Riga (East European Hockey League ), before that he was signed to Jaroslawl (RUS). Panteleev also has some experience in north American hockey, he had 54 games in the NHL (Boston Bruins & New York Islanders).

Name: Pavlas Petr
Nationality: CZ
Date of birth: 04.02.1968
Position: Defense
League NLA
Club: EHC Kloten
Other: Coming from Havirov Panthers (CZ), Pavlas is considered 4th best defense-player in scoring points in the Czech extraliga. He was signed by EHC Kloten until the end of the current season.

Name: Petrovicky Robert
Nationality: SLK
Date of birth: 26.10.1973
Position: Center / Wing
League NLA
Club: HC Ambri-Piotta
Other: During the season 2000/2001 Robert Petrovicky had 11 games in the NHL with the New York Islanders. Moreover he has been signed to Chicago Volves (IHL) and MoDo (SWE). Ambri-Piotta signed Petrovicky untli 2003.

Name: Plavsic Adrien
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 13.01.1970
Position: Defense
League NLA
Club: ZSC Lions
Other: Signed to ZSC since 1998/99, Plavsic was swiss champion with his team in 2000 and 2001. Playing in the defense, the scoring has been around 20 points each season.

Name: Potvin Steve
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 26.09.1974
Position: Center
League NLB
Club: EHC Basel
Other: Before coming to Europe, Steve Potvin was mostly playing for the Hamilton Bulldogs in the AHL. After one season with Iserlohn (2nd German Bundesliga), he was called by EHC Basel for one period. Due to injuries and decreasing performance, Potvin was replaced by Domenic Amodeo (CAN) in december 2001. Some weeks later, he was transferred to IF Björklöven (SWE).

Name: Poudrier Serge
Nationality: F
Date of birth: 22.04.1966
Position: Defense
League NLA
Club: Lausanne HC
Other: Except a short trip to Fribourg-Gotteron (1999/2000), Serge Poudrier has been signed since 1998/99 to Lausanne HC. Having a very successful period in 2000/2001, Poudrier scored 12 goals and 31 assist points in 36 games.

Name: Pucher René
Nationality: SLK
Date of birth: @
Position: Center / left wing
League NLB
Club: HC Thurgau
Other: René Pucher is a player from the Slovak major League . Due to problems with his
Club: Kosice, he was transferred to a minor League to SLK Presov. During the season 2000/2001 with Presov, he scored 70 points, which was the best result of the whole League .

Name: Richard Mike
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 09.06.1966
Position: Forward
League NLA
Club: Rapperswil-Jona
Other: Mike Richard is also a well-known player. He first came to Switzerland for the season of 1990/91 where he was signed to ZSC. After that he joined EHC Olten for three years, before settle down in Rapperswil-Jona in 1995/96. Now Mike Richard ist playing his seventh consecutive season for Rapperswil.

Name: Richards Todd
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 20.10.1966
Position: Defense
League NLB
Club: HC Geneve-Serette
Other: Todd Richards played the period of 2000/2001 for Orlando Solar Bears in the IHL. Winning the Playoff-Final with his team, he scored 50 points in 91 games. The contract signed with Servette ends 2003.

Name: Rintanen Kimmo
Nationality: FIN
Date of birth: 07.08.1973
Position: Center / Wing
League NLA
Club: Kloten Flyers
Other: A Player from TPS Turku (FIN), where he scored 64 points during 2000/2001. Rintanen also did two goals for his country on the 2000 world championship in Germany. Signed by Kloten Flyers for the period of 2001/2002.

Name: Rosol Petr
Nationality: CZ
Date of birth: 20.06.1964
Position: Forward
League NLB
Club: EHC Visp
Other: Due to weak performances of Reggie Savae (called to replace injured Stefan Ketola), EHC Visp signed Peter Rosol until the end of the season. Coming from Litvinov (CZ), Rosol has already played many years in Switzerland before. He was signed to Sierre, Martigny and Lugano for five years.

Name: Roy Jean-Yves
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 07.02.1969
Position: Forward
League NLA
Club: HC Fribourg-Gottéron
Other: Jean-Yves Roy signed a contract with Fribourg-Gotteron in 2000/01. During his first year of competition in Switzerland he scored 29 goals and 19 assist points in 45 games.

Name: Samuelsson Morgan
Nationality: SWE
Date of birth: 06.04.1968
Position: Center / Wing
League NLA
Club: ZSC Lions
Other: Morgan Samuelsson ist playing in Switzerland since 1999/2000. He signed to HC Thurgau, and spent there two years. In 1999/2000 he was one of the best players in the NLB. During the following season he was not able to confirm his outstanding performance. The weakness of the whole team, and a injury at the beginning of the season contributed to this fact. In spring 2001 Samuelsson was lend from HC Thurgau to ZSC Lions, and scored there the title-winning-goal in the Play-off finals against Lugano.

Name: Savage Reggie
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 01.05.1970
Position: Forward
League NLB
Club: EHC Biel-Bienne
Other: A forward from Syracuse Crunch (AHL). During 2000/2001 he had 83 games with this team, and scored 63 points. Reggie Savage also received the AHL "Man-of-the-year award" for his work against drugs and alcohol in Syracuse. Savage has already some experience with European hockey. He has been playing with Asiago (I) during the period of 1998/1999. His contract ends 2002/2003.

Name: Savoia Ryan
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 06.05.1973
Position: Forward
League NLB
Club: EHC Biel-Bienne
Other: In Switzerland Ryan Savoia is best known from the Spengler Cup, as a member of the team Canada. In the Play-Offs 1999/2000 he was engaged by Fribourg-Gottéron, but changed then for the period 2000/2001 to Augsburg Panthers (DEL) to Germany. After being called by SC Bern for the Play-Off games 2000/2001 he signed a two-season-contract with EHC Biel-Bienne.

Name: Shirjajew Waleri
Nationality: UKR
Date of birth: 26.08.1963
Position: Defense
League NLB
Club: HC La-Chaux-de-Fonds
Other: Before coming to Switzerland in the early 90's, Waleri Shirjajew was playing for Sokol Kiew, and was considered one of the best defensemen of the whole soviet hockey League . After the change to Switzerland, he has been signed to EHC Biel, HC Davos and HC La-Chaux-de-Fonds. Shirjajew is now playing his fourth season in a row for HC La-Chaux-de-Fonds.

Name: Seymour Dean
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 08.12.1971
Position: Center
League NLB
Club: Grasshopppers (GCK Lions) Other Playing in Denmark, Dean Seymour was called by SC Herisau for the season 2000/2001. At the end of this period, the
Club: was bankrupt, and Seymour was traded to Grasshoppers.

Name: Shamolin Dimitri
Nationality: RUS
Date of birth: 03.05.1972
Position: Wing
League NLA
Club: HC Lausanne Other Dimitri Shamolin is playing in Swizerland since 1995/96. He has already been signed to Fribourg, Olten, Kloten and Martigny. Shamolin joined HC Sierre in 1999/00 for one season. Financial problems and therefore bad treatment by the
Club: forced him to change his employer. In 2000/01 Shamolin was signed by Lausanne HC. At the end of the season he was the best scorer of the NLB League (88 Points), and led his team to the superior League NLA.

Name: Stepanek Martin
Nationality: CZ
Date of birth: 02.04.1971
Position: Defense
League NLA Club HC Ambri-Piotta
Other: Coming from IFK Helsinki, Martin Stepanek signed to Ambri-Piotta until 2003.

Name: Strömberg Mika
Nationality: FIN
Date of birth: 28.02.1970
Position: Defense
League NLA Club EHC Chur
Other: A couple of years ago Mika Strömberg was considered to be one of Finland's best defensive players. Due to this fact he was signed by HC Fribourg-Gotteron in 1999/00. But only after one season Strömberg had to leave this club. He joined EHC Chur in 2000/01. Coming from the NLB this team needed a solid defense to stay in the top League NLA. That's the reason why Chur decided to get a foreign defense player.

Name: Sulander Ari
Nationality: FIN
Date of birth: 06.01.1969
Position: Goalkeeper
League NLA
Club: ZSC Lions
Other: Signed to ZSC in 1998/99, Sulander is one of the most important players in his team. Without such a skilled goaltender, it would never have been possible to obtain the champion's title for ZSC. That's also the reason why Sulander was given a unusually long contract until 2005.

Name: Tancill Chris
Nationality: USA
Date of birth: 07.02.1968
Position: Forward
League NLA
Club: EV Zug
Other: Chris Tancill came to Switzerland in 1998/99 to play for EHC Kloten. After one season he changed to EV Zug where he is still signed. Respected as a very valuable teamplayer Tancill scored a total of 50 points in 43 games during the period of 2000/01.

Name: Turgeon Sylvain
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 17.01.1965
Position: Forward
League NLB
Club: HC Thurgau
Other: Sylvain Turgeon spent the last years mostly in the German DEL. Before that, he already had been engaged in Switzerland, having contracts with Lugano, Langnau, Olten and Herisau. Moreover, Turgeon was part of the NHL during 669 games, where he scored 269 goals and 225 assist points.

Name: Varis Petri
Nationality: FIN
Date of birth: 13.05.1969 Position Wing
League NLA
Club: ZSC Lions
Other: A player from the finnish elite series. During the season 2000/2001 Petri Varis had 56 games with Jokerit Helsinki (FIN) where he scored 27 goals and 43 assists. ZSC signed him for two seasons (2001/2003).

Name: Vitolinsh Harijs
Nationality: LET
Date of birth: 30.04.1968 Position Forward
League NLB
Club: HC Thurgau
Other: Member of the Latvian national team and a very well-known player in Switzerland, with a frightening appearance (1.91 m / 102 kg). He spent the last 6 years with EHC Chur before changing to HC Thurgau. Up to now Harijs Vitolinsh has played 308 games in Switzerland, where he scored 175 goals and got 252 assist points. Contract with HC Thurgau ends 2002.

Name: Vilgrain Claude
Nationality: CAN
Date of birth: 01.03.1963
Position: Center
League NLA
Club: SC Bern
Other: Claude Vilgrain is back in Switzerland. After several seasons with SC Herisau and EHC Biel he joins SC Bern for the play-offs. Having ended his career in spring 2001, he wasn't signed to any team in 2001/2002 but kept in shape with different teams in north American minor League s.

Name: Vlasak Tomas
Nationality: CZ Date of birth 01.02.1975
Position: Wing
League NLA
Club: HC Ambri-Piotta
Other: Playing for Häämenlinna (FIN) Tomas Vlasak scored 63 points in 48 games during 1999/2000. The following season wasn't one of his best. Having only 27 games he totalized 18 points. Vlasak signed to Ambri-Piotta for one season.

Name: Ward Dixon
Nationality: USA Date of birth 23.09.1968
Position: Right wing
League NLA
Club: SC Langnau
Other: As a result of weak team performances in the championship, Dixon Ward was called by SC Langnau in November 2001.

Name: Witehall Johann
Nationality: SWE
Date of birth: 07.01.1972
Position: Wing
League NLA
Club: EHC Chur
Other: During the period of 2000/2001 Johann Witehall was playing in the NHL as well as in the AHL. In 26 games with the Montreal Canadians and an
Other: 15 with the New York Rangers, he scored 5 points. Witehall was more successful playing in the AHL for the Quebec Citadelles and Hartford Wolf Packs. In 29 games he totalized 13 goals and 13 assist points. His contract with EHC Chur ends 2002.

Swiss roster for World Championship 2001

Here's the roster of the swiss national team for the upcoming WC and what Ralph Krueger, the Swiss national coach had to say about them [translation from german]. I might add my comment with some of them.

Goalies

Martin Gerber
Born: 3.9.1974
Team: SCL Tigers
1,78 m/79 kg
National team games: 31
Krueger: "If you call for him, he's a sure bet."
Comment: He signed a contract with Färjestad. He played on a weak team and kept them in the game many times. Should probably be #1.

Reto Pavoni (did not come to Germany due to injury)
Born: 24.1.1968
Team: Kloten Flyers
1,78 m/77 kg
National team games: 193
Krueger: "A goalie for the big games, a winner."
Comment: He was known to play spectaculary for his club team and couldn't perform as well in the national team. However he was responsible for the upset against Russia in last year's WC.

Lars Weibel
Born: 20.5.1974
Team: Davos
1,85 m/90 kg
National team games: 19
Krueger: "He gives us solid depth at goaltending."
Comment: Played excellent during regular season and faltered in the playoffs, where he was playing despite being sick.

Defenders

Goran Bezina
Born: 21.3.1980
Team: Fribourg
1,90 m/99 kg
Nat. games/goals: 15/3
Krueger: "His good shooting is a new weapon for us."
Comment: Shooting star of the season. He was the best player of Fribourg in the playoffs (they lost in the first round against Lugano) and was playing very well in the exhibition games of the national team. He was drafted by Phoenix.

Olivier Keller
Born: 20.3.1971
Team: Lugano
1,90 m/95 kg
Nat. games/goals: 72/2
Krueger: "Plays constantly as internationally necessary."
Comment: Plays solid, but can't really turn a game around like Bezina.

Edgar Salis
Born: 20.5.1970
Team: ZSC Lions
1,91 m/98 kg
Nat. games/goals: 84/10
Krueger: "He's an example of simple, mature and calm playing."
Comment: He's a feared checker in the NLA, but doesn't always use his body enough. Usually very solid.

Mathias Seger
Born: 17.12.1977
Team: ZSC Lions
1,81 m/84 kg
Nat. games/goals: 78/7
Krueger: "He's got a big heart and does everything for winning."
Comment: Very good skater with offense on his mind. Also good defensively though.

Martin Steinegger
Born: 15.2.1972
Team: Bern
1,87 m/87 kg
Nat. games/goals: 125/7
Krueger: "A leader and our most complete player."
Comment: Tough guy with a good shot. Defensively solid. Probably the best swiss defender.

Mark Streit
Born: 11.12.1977
Team: ZSC Lions
1,83 m/88 kg
Nat. games/goals: 58/9
Krueger: "Creative and important element of our offensive play."
Comment: Very good skater. Played in the AHL in the 1999/2000 season.

Patrick Sutter
Born: 06.7.1970
Team: Zug
1,75 m/79 kg
Nat. games/goals: 128/11
Krueger: "Leader from the first minute I was coach of the team."
Comment: Good alrounder, but known for cheapshots.

Julien Vauclair
Born: 02.10.1979
Team: Lugano
1,84 m/90 kg
Nat. games/goals: 51/4
Krueger: "A player for the future of the national team."
Comment: Drafted by Ottawa. Didn't get enough ice time with Lugano to develop his skill. He won the fastest skater competition in the all-star skills two years ago.

Forwards

J. J. Aeschlimann
Born: 30.5.1967
Team: Lugano
1,85 m/86 kg
Nat. games/goals: 76/10
Krueger: "Our captain, excellent two-way forward."
Comment: Good at face-offs and very good defensively. Will be the center of the checking line.

Flavien Conne
Born: 01.4.1980
Team: Lugano
1,77 m/81 kg
Nat. games/goals: 26/6
Krueger: "A genius with his own style."
Comment: Drafted by LA. Highly skilled player. In the season 1999/2000 he was the MVP of Fribourg.

Gian Marco Crameri
Born: 13.12.1972
Team: ZSC Lions
1,77 m/76 kg
Nat. games/goals: 100/25
Krueger: "With his speed and creativity he can decide games."
Comment: Not much else to say. Had a good year statistically even though it seems like he might play with more heart.

Patric Della Rossa
Born: 28.7.1975
Team: ZSC Lions
1,86 m/94 kg
Nat. games/goals: 54/9
Krueger: "Got everything you need internationally."
Comment: Had a very bad season despite winning the championship. Played well in the exhibition games of the national team though.

Alain Demuth
Born: 03.6.1979
Team: Ambri-Piotta
1,80 m/86 kg
Nat. games/goals: 27/8
Krueger: "Our aggressive leader puts power into our play."
Comment: Tough despite his size. Good skill-level too.

Sandy Jeannin
Born: 28.2.1976
Team: Lugano
1,80 m/80 kg
Nat. games/goals: 56/5
Krueger: "He can play on all five positions."
Comment: Solid player, but inconsistent. Was probably taken because he can be used as a defender also.

Marcel Jenni
Born: 02.3.1974
Team: Färjestad
1,80 m/82 kg
Nat. games/goals: 126/30
Krueger: "You have to let him play."
Comment: Topscorer of the swedish playoffs. Was known for causing trouble off-ice and feuding against his coach at Lugano. Gained from leaving Switzerland and getting rid of his reputation.

Martin Plüss
Born: 05.4.1977
Team: Kloten Flyers
1,73 m/81 kg
Nat. games/goals: 67/8
Krueger: "He grew on his WC 2000 absence, like Jeannin."
Comment: Very good player, if not the best swiss player playing in Switzerland. He can turn around a game at the national level.

Marc Reichert
Born: 22.3.1980
Team: Bern
1,89 m/101 kg
Nat. games/goals: 14/4
Krueger: "We never had a power forward like this before."

Michel Riesen
Born: 11.4.1979
Team: Hamilton
1,86 m/80 kg
Nat. games/goals: 11/3
Krueger: "Natural scorer, can be the difference."
Comment: Possesses a skill that is a major problem of swiss hockey players: scoring goals efficiently. Was suffering from the pressure of being the first swiss player being drafted in the first round (Edmonton).

Michel Zeiter
Born: 22.4.1974
Team: ZSC Lions
1,87 m/94 kg
Nat. games/goals: 110/29
Krueger: "Two-way player who leads his line."
Comment: In my eyes MVP of the swiss playoffs. He can be a dominant player, but doesn't always give his best.

Thomas Ziegler
Born: 09.6.1978
Team: Detroit Vipers
1,80 m/86 kg
Nat. games/goals: 17/2
Krueger: "The way he reads the play is phenomenal."
Comment: Playing for Detroit in the IHL. Had a few games in Tampa Bay, but got injured. Is a defensive player. He scored the game winning goal against russia last year and the game-tieing goal against Sweden.

Hope it's useful,
Balz

General information about swiss hockey leagues

Author: © Schmiddy
Date: 25-07-00
Language correction: FlyBear
Other languages: German, French (by Gian Marco), Italian (by Gian Marco), Czech (by Pierce)