Switzerland ready for WC with a purely domestic squad

Switzerland is going to Slovakia with three goalkeepers, eight defenders and fourteen forwards. “The final cut was the toughest decision to make,” said Sean Simpson, a Canadian born head coach. “I would have taken more players to Slovakia if I could.”

Simpson is still eagerly watching results of the ongoing Stanley Cup play offs with hopes of adding some much needed NHL experience into the team. So far, all members of the squad play in the Swiss league, but Yannick Weber (Montreal), Luca Sbisa (Anaheim) and Roman Josi (Milwaukee, AHL) could all shore up the defense if their respective club teams fail to make another round.

Severin Blindenbacher, a regular participant at past World Championships, is not present this year after a season which saw him unsuccessfully fight for a place in NHL’s Dallas Stars. There is still a lot of experience in the forward lines, though, provided by Swiss hockey stars of the recent seasons like Martin Plüss, Ivo Rüthemann or Andres Ambühl.

Swiss team has finished its preparation for this year's championship on a high with a 3-0 victory over Belarus. The team is going to move over to Kosice, Slovakia on Tuesday, where they will kick off the tournament on Friday against newly promoted France.

Goalkeepers:
Genoni Leonardo (HC Davos)
Manzato Daniel (Rapperswil-Jona Lakers)
Stephan Tobias (Genève-Servette HC)

Defenders:
Bezina Goran (Genève-Servette HC)
Diaz Rafael (EV Zug)
Du Bois Félicien (Kloten Flyers)
Furrer Philippe (SC Bern)
Gerber Beat (SC Bern)
Ramholt Tim (HC Davos)
Seger Mathias (ZSC Lions)
Vauclair Julien (HC Lugano)

Forwards:
Ambühl Andres (ZSC Lions)
Bieber Matthias (Kloten Flyers)
Déruns Thomas (SC Bern)
Gardner Ryan (SC Bern)
Lemm Romano (Kloten Flyers)
Lötscher Kevin (EHC Biel)
Monnet Thibaut (ZSC Lions)
Moser Simon (SCL Tigers)
Plüss Martin (SC Bern)
Rubin Daniel (Genève-Servette HC)
Rüthemann Ivo (SC Bern)
Sprunger Julien (HC Fribourg-Gottéron)
Stancescu Victor (Kloten Flyers)
Trachsler Morris (Genève-Servette HC)

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