2024 World Junior Championship Preview: Team Switzerland

Credit: (Photo by Steven Ellis/Daily Fac

If there’s anything you can say about the Swiss, it’s that they’re pesky.

They’ll get in your way. They’ll push you to the brink. And they’ll do whatever it takes to make your life miserable. Sometimes, they fail and fail big. Other times, they’ll pull a win out of their rear ends and shake up the standings. This year? Don’t expect much of the latter.

Group B will be spicy. The United States are the clear favorite, but there’s still Czechia, Slovakia and Norway. Norway, the latest team promoted to the top division, look like the top option to come last. But there’s an opportunity for Switzerland to make noise against Czechia and Slovakia to avoid the relegation round.

But as you’ll see, the Swiss are missing a “star” player to take this team forward. Their goaltending is below average. Their offense is weak. Their blueline is fine, but they’ll be busy.

It won’t be easy, and they’ll have an upward climb. Switzerland will need a bit of help if they’re going to advance far in this tournament, but if there’s any underdog team that can steal a win from a bigger nation, it’s the Swiss.

Goaltending

*Ewan Huet (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Goaltending will be Switzerland’s weak point. Ewan Huet, the son of Stanley Cup champion Cristobal Huet, was the team’s starter in U-18 play last year and has a few U-20 games to his credit, too. He’s been the better of the two goalies for the WHL’s Regina Pats, a team that is missing Connor Bedard’s exploits this year. Huet isn’t a big goalie at six-foot, but he’ll battle on every opportunity.

Alessio Beglieri is back for his second run with the club. He had a rough go last year and typically hasn’t looked great for Switzerland in national team action. He had some highs and lows last year with the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads but is playing some decent hockey with Biel-Bienne’s U-20 team.

Lorin Grüter could be an interesting one to watch. He was excellent with the U-19 national team last year and has had a great year in the Swiss League. I could see Grüter getting a start over Belieri, but it’s still Huet’s net to lose.

Defensemen

Not having Lian Bischel hurts, but we know the Swiss can play figure things out defensively. It’s part of their DNA.

Saginaw Spirit standout Rodwin Dionicio (ANA) will make his third tournament appearance, but expect bigger things from him this year. His offensive game has taken big strides over the past year, mainly when it comes to decision-making. A late-round pick by the Anaheim Ducks in 2023, Dionicio isn’t afraid to throw the body, either.

Nick Meile is also entering the tournament for a third time. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound defender is still looking for his first point at the event, but that’s not his bread and butter. Instead, he can shut things down and block shots. Whether he plays with Bichsel or Dionicio, he’ll complement them well in a top-four role.

Another defenseman with significant pro experience is Louis Füllemann. He didn’t make last year’s roster, but I thought he looked solid at the U-18 World Championship back in 2022. Again, he doesn’t produce a lot, but he knows how to shoot the puck and does a decent enough job of keeping opponents to the outside.

Simone Terraneo would be one of the players that steps up in Bischel’s absence. He’s having a good year with Ambri-Piotta, with his ice time seeing a bit of an increase as the season has gone on. He’s been a solid contributor for the Swiss internationally in the past, too.

Forwards

*Matteo Wagner (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Switzerland has never been an offensive powerhouse, and this year won’t be any different. A key returning forward is Miles Müller, who should occupy a spot on the top line. The Moncton Wildcat has been plugging away at a point-per-game pace, passing his 23-point output from last year in half the games. It took him a while to really find his groove in the QMJHL, but he’s playing a big role now and that’ll carry over to the national team.

Mattheo Reinhard, a 5-foot-9 center in the Biel-Bienne sphere, should get the nod on the first line. He has shuffled around levels this year, but he was great in Swiss national team action over the summer. He’ll have a tough time with some of the bigger defensemen in the tournament, but he’s got the speed and skill to make some noise.

It’s hard to understand where Leo Braillard‘s game is at any given time. He struggled with Shawinigan but has thrived in the WHL with Lethbridge. He’s been especially good internationally and was among the best U-18 Swiss players last year. His work ethic can vary from game to game, but he’s a buzzsaw around the net. Some scouts are interested to see how he performs here as a potential overage draft prospect.

Matteo Wagner was one of the better U-18 players last year, scoring four goals and five points in five games on home ice. He struggled in Finland the past two years, but he looks a lot more comfortable and offensively engaged with AIK’s U-20 squad in Sweden. I think he’ll start in a depth role, but I love his energy and his shot enough that I think he’ll score a few goals.

Two others who looked good during earlier events this year are Thierry Schild and Jonas Taibel. Schild scored three goals in his first four games and has spent most of the year in the National League. Against U-20 competition, even in a limited quantity, he’s been great. In Taibel’s case, he has dealt with injuries but put up some good showings in the Swiss league and served as a captain in other national team action.

2024 NHL Draft

Daniil Ustinkov isn’t guaranteed a big role with this team, but he’s worth mentioning. A standout with the U-18 squad, Ustinkov is already in his second year of playing against men. Sure, he’s had his fair share of games with under 10 minutes played in the National League, but he has looked solid in the second-tier Swiss league, too. I fully expect him to join the London Knights and play a big role in the OHL after going to the powerhouse squad in the CHL Import Draft a few months ago. Next year will be his real chance to show what he’s capable of, but he could be a solid mid-pack pickup for an NHL team.

Another prospect with a good chance at going in 2024 is Leon Muggli. This year, the U-18’s captain has been getting some great reps in with EV Zug and has entered the tournament with four points in his past three games. He’s flying high with confidence, and that’s important.

Projection

There’s a lot of faith that the 2006-born crop could pull through. Only a few will make up this roster, with the team instead relying a lot on a large chunk of the 2005-born team that made some noise at the U-18 World Championship. If there’s anything this team will bring to the table, it’s hard-working energy. But results? They don’t have a forward capable of taking over, and not having Bischel hurts. Being in Group B, they have the easier competition, but they still might only be the fourth-best team there – and that’s assuming Norway doesn’t get it together. Expectations are low for Switzerland, who will have a tough time getting out of the quarterfinal again.

Round-Robin Schedule

Local/ET Time

Dec. 27 vs. Slovakia – 12:00/6:00 AM
Dec. 28 vs. USA – 17:00/11:00 AM
Dec. 30 vs. Norway – 17:00/11:00 AM
Dec. 31 vs. Czechia – 17:00/11:00 AM

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