Kevin Fiala's season is not over yet - The IIHF Worlds are calling

Kevin Fiala

- Nationality: SUI
- DOB: 1996/07/22
- 180 cm (5'11") / 88 kg (194 lbs)
- Position: RW

- NHL Team: TBD
- NHL Draft: 2014
- Contract: 2014/15

In an insider report a month ago I have already written an article on the Swiss phenom:
http://hockeynightinswitzerland.blogspot.ch/2014/03/kevin-fiala-der-rasante-aufstieg-des.html

Now it's time to have a look why Swiss national team head coach Sean Simpson is considering Fiala for the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Belarus. It would be Fiala's third big tournament with a Swiss team after playing the 2014 World Junior Championship in Sweden and the 2014 U18 World Championship in Finland. What a year for the kid!

Here a quick overview of Kevin Fiala's stats from this season:

2014 U18 World Championship in Finland

Since the last report on March 26th 2014 the Swiss teenager has played in the 2014 U18 World Championship in Finland and was a dominant force for the Swiss team scoring a total of 4 goals and 5 assists in 5 games. He was his team's best scorer and 6th overall in tournament scoring. 

Kevin Fiala: 9 points in 5 games.

Switzerland was a tough opponent for Team Canada in the Quarterfinals. Down by a goal Fiala scored the equalizer on the powerplay with under 5 minutes to go. A big upset was up in the air. But the Canadians took home the win with the game winning goal by Travis Konecny with only 30 seconds left in regulation. Canada hung on to the 3-2 lead and advanced to the semifinals. As most of the times in the U18 Worlds Canada's best players weren't avaible as the were still playing in the playoffs for their respective junior teams. Players such as Aaron Ekblad, Sam Bennett, Michael Dal Colle or Brendan Perlini - all of them projected to go in the top 1o at the upcoming NHL Entry Draft - weren't available. Neither was Connor McDavid who is projected to go number 1 overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Kevin Fiala sure to go in the first round

Fiala's stock for the NHL Entry Draft has risen significantly since his performance at the World Junior Championship in Sweden. The Swiss forward didn't capture the rookie of the year award in Sweden (Maple Leaf's prospect Andreas Johnson received the award), but he is currently projected to go somewhere in between 20 and 30. If he were to make the Swiss national team for the 2014 World Championship in Belarus, who knows what still can happen. 

World Junior Championship, U18 World Championship
and World Championship in half a year?

A golden opportunity

Head coach Sean Simpson has experienced a lot of declinations from his players. Something common in a season with the Olympic tournament and the Worlds just 3 months later. It's always a great opportunity for younger players to take the spotlight and shine. If Fiala will get an opportunity to showcase himself at the Worlds is uncertain at this point. He will get a chance to make a case for himself this coming Friday in an exhibition game against Germany and maybe even next Tuesday in the final preparation game against Team Canada. So, a lot of things can still happen before the 2014 NHL Entry Draft in Philadelphia at the end of June. To be continued...


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Update EV Zug Kader 2014/15 - Daniel Sondell

Daniel Sondell

- Nationalität: SWE
- Geburtstag: 1. März 1984
- Grösse: 185 cm (6'1") / Gewicht: 92 kg (203 lbs)
- Position: D

- 2013/14 Team: Örebro Hockeyklubb (SHL)
- NHL Draft: wurde nie gedraftet
- Vertrag: Einjahresvertrag bis Ende 2014/15

Statistik Spelschema (Meisterschaft) 2013/14:

Statistik Kvalserien (Playouts) 2013/14:

Der EV Zug gab heute die Verpflichtung von Daniel Sondell bekannt. Der Schwedische Verteidiger gilt als Offensiv-Verteidiger mit sehr guter Übersicht und Spielverständnis. Zudem deckt er als Powerplay-Spezialisten ein grosses Bedürfnis der Zuger ab. Defensiv ist er solide und wird bei den Kolinstädter viel Verantwortung übernehmen und eine hohe Eiszeit erhalten.

Daniel Sondell: Der neue ausländische Verteidiger des EV Zug

Saison 2013/14 - Örebro HK

Daniel Sondell spielte in der abgelaufenen Saison für Örebro Hockeyklubb (Örebro HK) in der SHL. Sein Team wurde mit 61 Punkten aus 55 Spielen lediglich 11. und zweitletzter und verpasste die Playoffs. Somit musste Örebro HK - wie auch sein zukünftiger Verein - in die Playouts. Mit 7 Siegen in 10 Spielen sicherte sich aber das Team von Sondell den Verbleib in der SHL. 

Saison 2013/14 - Daniel Sondell

Daniel Sondell war ein Lichtblick in einer sonst enttäuschenden Saison von Örebro. Er erzielte mit 27 Punkten in 47 Spielen seine statistisch gesehen beste Saison in der SHL und wurde zweiter in der internen Skorerliste. Mit 9 Punkten in 8 Playout-Spiele zählte der 30-jährige Schwede ebenfalls zu den besten und wurde zweiter der gesamten Playouts hinter seinem Teamkollegen Jared Aulin.

Die Zuger Fans hoffen auf viele Jubelszenen von Daniel Sondell.

Sondell unterschrieb einen Einjahresvertrag und sowohl der EV Zug als auch er hoffen, dass er durch seinen Leistungen noch viel länger am Zugersee spielen wird.
Mit dem Transfer von Daniel Sondell gelang den Zugern wahrscheinlich keinen Mega-Transfer (er wurde nie gedraftet, spielte weder in Nordamerika noch an einer WM), aber solide dürfte er schon sein.

EV Zug Verteidigung 2014/15

Mit diesem Transfer steht nun die komplette Zuger Verteidigung für die kommende Saison 2014/15 (geordnet nach Grösse):

Tim Ramholt: 186 cm / 94 kg
Daniel Sondell: 185 / 92 kg
David Stämpfli: 184 / 90 kg
Johann Morant: 181 cm / 95 kg
Simon Lüthi: 180 cm / 89 kg
Robin Grossmann: 180 cm / 85 kg
Santeri Alatalo: 179 cm / 79 kg
Yannick Blaser: 177 cm / 85 kg
Samuel Erni: 176 cm / 79 kg

Die beiden Transfers von Sondell und Stämpfli bringen ein bisschen mehr Wasserverdrängung in eine sonst eher kleine und feine Abwehr der Innerschweizer. Ob das genug ist, wird sich weisen. 
So könnten die Paarungen zu Saisonbeginn in etwa aussehen :

Grossmann - Sondell
Ramholt - Alatalo
Erni - Lüthi
Blaser - Morant
Stämpfli

Nun warten alle Zuger Anhänger gespannt auf die Besetzung der beiden noch ausstehenden ausländischen Stürmer.


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Season Review 2013/14 - Yannick Weber

Yannick Weber

- Nationality: SUI
- DOB: 1988/09/23
- 181 cm (5'11") / 91 kg (200 lbs)
- Position: D/RW

- NHL Team: Vancouver Canucks
- NHL Draft: 2007 (3/73) by the Montreal Canadiens
- Contract: 1 year / $650,000 until 2013/14
- 2013/14 Salary: $650,000

Here a quick overview of Yannick Weber's stats since his arrival in the NHL. Last season marked his sixth in the NHL, his first with the Vancouver Canucks:

After 5 seasons in the organization of the Montreal Canadiens it was time for a change. Yannick Weber split his time in Montreal with their AHL affiliate the Hamilton Bulldogs and was recalled to the NHL and assigned back to the AHL more than he had wished for. Actually a defenseman he was also regularly used as a right wing mostly on the fourth line.
On July 5th 2013 Weber signed a one-year one-way contract worth $650,000 with the Vancouver Canucks hoping he could be a NHL regular defenseman in the Western Conference.

Season Review 2013/14

Weber was a healthy scratch in the first regular season game. But due to injuries and suspensions he received a chance as the 7th defenseman from game 2 on. In 6 consecutive games the Swiss defenseman couldn't showcase himself enough to earn a regular spot on the blueline and was back being a healthy scrath after playing the least minutes of all defenseman. 

There was not much celebration for Weber
at the beginning of the season.

He was inserted back in the lineup for 3 games at the end of October, but couldn't make an impression. After only 10 played games Weber was placed on waivers on November 18th in order to be assigned to Vancouver's affiliate, the Utica Comets in the AHL. He went unclaimed on waivers. In 7 games with the Comets he posted 2 goals and 5 assists. The Comets' head coach is somewhat familiar to the Swiss hockey scene, as Travis Green played his last season 2007/08 as an center for EV Zug in the Swiss National League A.

Recalled on December 8th

His 7 points in 7 games for the Comets didn't get unnoticed as Weber was recalled on December 8th. From that day on he never looked back and stayed with the Canucks till the season's end. In his first three games back he recored 1 goal and 2 assists and even found himself on the powerplay. His minutes per game increased from his first stint with Vancouver (mostly between 10 and 15 minutes), but were constantly the least of all defenseman. His season best, 28:22 came on January 18th in a 3-2 shootout win against Calgary.

More ice time as season winded down

Overall the Vancouver Canucks played themselves out of a playoff spot rather early. Injuries to their key players and slumps from their money players, especially the Sedins led to a very disappointing season. The Canucks finished the season 12th in the Western Conference, 8 points out of a playoff spot. Towards the end of the season head coach John Tortorella relied more on his Swiss defenseman playing him in all situations, probably giving him a chance to show Canucks' management if he earned a new contract or if they would let him go by season's end. Known as a powerplay specialist with a lethal shot, Weber scored 3 of his 6 goals and 2 of his 4 assists with the man-advantage. If his improved play in the last couple of weeks earned him a new contract with the Canucks or even in the NHL remains to be seen.

A disappointing Olympic tournament in Sochi

Like all of his fellow Swiss NHL players - except for the goalies - Weber didn't live up to the (high) expectations, going 4 games without a point. It was a tournament to forget.

Yannick Weber at the Olympics in Sochi.

Weber's future is uncertain

An NHL team looking for a powerplay specialist who is a number 6 or 7 defenseman could sign Yannick Weber for the coming season. He would probably have to agree to a one-year two-way deal if he wanted to prolong his NHL career. The other option would be a return to the Swiss National League A, as Weber has been linked to SC Bern. 

Does an NHL team still believe in Yannick Weber?

My guess is that he will receive some two-way deals, but wanting a one-way deal Weber will end up with SC Bern. Yannick Weber will be joining the Swiss national team for the upcoming 2014 IIHF World Championship in Minsk, Belarus hoping he can show his qualities to earn himself a new NHL contract.


Follow me on Twitter: @HNISwitzerland 

Season Review 2013/14 - Roman Josi

Roman Josi

- Nationality: SUI
- DOB: 1990/06/01
- 186 cm (6'1") / 87 kg (192 lbs)
- Position: D

- NHL Team: Nashville Predators
- NHL Draft: 2008 (2/38) by the Nashville Predators
- Contract: 7 years / $28 million until 2019/20
- 2013/14 Salary: $2.5 million

Here a quick overview of Roman Josi's stats since his arrival in the NHL. Last season marked his third in the NHL, all with the Nashville Predators:

Arguably the most talented and skilled Swiss defenseman of all time Roman Josi has established himself as one of the best young defensemen in just his third NHL season. His coming out party was at the 2013 IIHF World Championship in Stockholm where he sensationally led the Swiss team to 9 consecutive victories. Switzerland went home with a silver medal after losing their only game, the gold medal game to Sweden 5-1. Personally Josi received consolation in winning the MVP award for his outstanding performance with 4 goals and 9 points in 10 games. A restricted free agent in the summer after the World Championship the Swiss defenseman cashed in by signing a 7 year and $28 million contract with the Nashville Predators. Only a year later one could say he signed the long term contract a little bit too early. Imagine what he would have been able to command after this great past season. Nevertheless Josi paired with Shea Weber - who probably is the best defensemen of the NHL at the moment - form a tandem considered to be one of the best in the league.

Season Review 2013/14

The Predators missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Nashville lacked great offense and were hit hard by the injury to number 1 goaltender Pekka Rinne. The tall Finn only started 24 games this season due to hip surgery. In a disappointing season Roman Josi was one of the positives in having a career year. After signing the long-term contract last summer he proved he's worth it. Head coach Barry Trotz relied heavily upon his Swiss silver medal winner as Josi averaged over 26 minutes a game, good for 5th in the league just behind Ryan Suter (29:25), Erik Karlsson (27:04), Brian Campbell (26:57) and Shea Weber (26:54).

Josi was 5th in the league in average ice time per game.

Barry Trotz, the longest serving active NHL coach, was relieved of his duties at the end of the season after 15 seasons (1,196 regular season games) and after being the only head coach in Nashville Predators' history. Trotz' successor will be able to count on a 23-year old Swiss who will only get better.

The Olympics: One big disappointment

The whole country of Switzerland had high hopes in their NHL stars. Never before did the Swiss have more NHL players than this season. Especially after winning the silver medal at the Worlds in 2013 and Roman Josi being the tournament's MVP even the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation thought they could compete for a medal at every tournament. Noteworthy: the last medal the Swiss national team won before the surprising silver in 2013 was in 1953.

Disappointing Olympics for Josi and his Swiss team in Sochi.

The country's dream came to an end even before the quarterfinals. Latvia stunned the Swiss in the qualification playoff game and sent them home packing early in the tournament. For Roman Josi it was a tournament to forget. After carrying the team on his back in 2013 he wasn't able to repeat his MVP performance and left Sochi with no points in 4 games.

The future is bright

The experts say successful teams are built from the goalie out. The Predators have one of the best goalies in the NHL and a lot of young and skilled talent on their blueline. If general manager David Poile is able to load his team with more offensive firepower Nashville will be capable to have a long playoff run in the coming years.
The 23-year old Roman Josi is going to be a key building block of the Predators' success in the future. He will only get better and better.

Notes

- Funny fact: this season Josi earned $2.5 million compared with Shea Weber's $14 million...
- Roman Josi will be heading to the 2014 IIHF World Championship in Minsk, Belarus
- Josi wore defensive partner Shea Weber's Team Canada golden jersey after the Olympics (https://twitter.com/rjosi90/status/440601259348078592/photo/1). He indeed lost a bet.

Roman Josi wearing Shea Weber's Team Canada jersey after losing a bet.

Follow me on Twitter: @HNISwitzerland

Season Review 2013/14 - Damien Brunner

Damien Brunner

- Nationality: SUI
- DOB: 1986/03/09
- 178 cm (5'10") / 84 kg (185 lbs)
- Position: RW/LW

- NHL Team: New Jersey Devils
- NHL Entry Draft: undrafted, signed by Detroit in 2012
- Contract: 2 years / $5 million until 2014/15
- 2013/14 Salary: $2.5 million

Here a quick overview of Damien Brunner's stats in the NHL. He has now played two seasons. His rookie season with Detroit and this season with New Jersey:

The 2012/13 NHL lockout proved to be the door opener to the NHL for Damien Brunner. After he signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Red Wings on July 1st 2012, he bonded in Detroit with Henrik Zetterberg in the summer of 2012 very quickly and even more so when the NHL postponed their season and several NHL players as Brunner and Zetterberg left overseas to play in the European Leagues. They were first teammates for EV Zug in the National League A in Switzerland. Put together with winger Linus Omark they dominated the league and also found instant chemistry on the ice.
When the lockout ended Brunner went on to play with Zetterberg in a top-6 role at first, but found himself playing up and down the lineup as the season progressed. Overall Brunner had a great rookie year posting 12 goals and 14 assists in 44 games played. His playoff performance helped the Red Wings advance to Conference Semifinals with a 4-3 series win against the Anaheim Ducks. Next up was the Chicago Blawkhawks who ended the Red Wings run with a Brent Seabrook OT winner in Game 7.
On July 5th 2013 the Swiss native became a unrestricted free agent. After he turned down multiple offers from Detroit believed to be two- and three-year deals in the $2.5 million per year range he headed to the Devils camp on a professional tryout September 16th. A week later on September 24th he signed a two-year deal worth a total of $5 million with the New Jersey Devils, just in time to get ready for the start of the season.

Season Review 2013/14

Brunner should have known where he was going. The Devils have been known as a defense-first team and are arguably the most disciplined team in the NHL. Some NHL insiders were very surprised about the choice and they proved to be right. After potting 3 goals and 2 assists in his first 5 games for the Devils, Brunner went on a dry spell adding just 1 goal and 2 assists in the following 22 games. 

5 points in his first 5 games for the Devils: Damien Brunner

Between October 29th and November 25th he didn't show up on the scoresheet for 12 consecutive games. His self-confidence was gone and questioned his role on the Devils team. Ever since his relationship with head coach Peter DeBoer hasn't been the best one. With a knee injury shortly before Christmas Brunner missed a month of hockey but came back strong with a 3-point performance against St. Loius.

Disappointing Olympics

But in the following 8 games until the Olympic break Brunner only registered 1 assist. His Olympic performance marked the next disappointment. Switzerland had high hopes in Brunner who put up 25 goals and 32 assists in 33 games for EV Zug in the Swiss National League A alongside Henrik Zetterberg in the 2012/13 lockout shortened season. Quite impressive stats. The Swiss hopeful played 4 games with nothing to show and his team lost its decisive qualification playoff game to Latvia 3-1.

Brunner was a disappointment at the Winter Olympics in Sochi

Healthy Scratch

Back in the NHL Damien Brunner hoped he could provide the Devils with his offense in order to claim a playoff spot. His team failed to do so and came up short. Brunner was a healthy scratch alltogether five times this season and ended his first season with only 25 points in 60 games. Disappointing for a top-6 calibre player.

What's next?

Damien Brunner still has a year left on his contract with the Devils. With the salary cap going up and his skills needed on other teams one has to think that New Jersey would be willing to part with the unhappy Swiss.
First Brunner might join the Swiss National Team for the IIHF World Championship in Belarus in May to refind his scoring touch on the larger surface. He also could showcase himself to other NHL teams who might be willing to deal for Brunner.
If nothing happens he will be stuck for another year with Peter DeBoer as his head coach in New Jersey as GM Lou Lamoriello has stated that his coach will be back next season.

Will Brunner get his smile back next season?

Damien Brunner regarded as the best Swiss forward ever to play the game is facing tough times. But several times in his career he has shown that he can overcome adversity and deliver.



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Potential Team Canada roster for the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Belarus

Possible Team Canada lineup

*Confirmed (updated May 6th):
- Goalies (3): Justin Peters (CAR), James Reimer (TOR), Ben Scrivens (EDM)
- Defense (7): Kevin Bieksa (VAN), Braydon Coburn (PHI), Ryan Ellis (NSH), Jason Garrison (VAN), Erik Gudbranson (FLA), Tyler Myers (BUF), Morgan Rielly (TOR)
- Offense (13): Troy Brouwer (WSH), Alex Burrows (VAN), Jason Chimera (WSH), Cody Hodgson (BUF), Jonathan Huberdeau (FLA), Nazem Kadri (TOR), Nathan MacKinnon (COL), Sean Monahan (CGY), Matt Read (PHI), Mark Scheifele (WPG), Brayden Schenn (PHI), Kyle Turris (OTT), Joel Ward (WSH)

- Sam Reinhart of the Kootenay Ice is practising with the team in Switzerland.
- David Perron (EDM) withdrew with a hip injury.
- Marc Methot (OTT) withdrew with an injury.
- Teams are allowed to register 25 players for the tournament.

The NHL regular season has come to an end. Several players from non-playoff teams will be participating at the World Championship in Belarus which will start for Team Canada with the preliminary round game against France on Friday, May 9th.

After winning the Olympic gold medal in Sochi with an outstanding and convincing performance Canada is looking to win their first gold medal at the Worlds since 2007. Their last medal dates back to 2009, a silver medal following a 1:2 loss in the final against Russia in Switzerland.

A World Championship just three months after the Olympics... I won't start that discussion here. That's just the way it is.

It will be hard to motivate the golden boys from Sochi for yet another tournament after a disappointing NHL season missing the playoffs with their respective team.

Roberto Luongo, Mike Smith, Dan Hamhuis and Shea Weber are the only four players with that faith. It would be a big surprise if one of them were to travel to Belarus.

Let's take a look who could possibly be on Team Canada as per today, April 14th.

Goalies

Braden Holtby participated at the Olympic orientation camp last summer, but brought himself out of contention for one of the three spots at the goalie position with poor play. Holtby is still a young and talented goalie who could be considered for the 2018 Team Canada Olympic roster.

After being traded to Toronto last summer Jonathan Bernier quickly established himself as the number 1 goalie for the Maple Leafs. Bernier had a great first season in Toronto and will also be a hot candidate for Pyeongchang in 2018.

Other possibilities: Cam Ward, Ben Scrivens

Defense

Canada's golden defense in Sochi was possibly the best ever. For the Worlds Team Canada could count on some players who were on the Olympic orientation roster: Karl Alzner, Mike Green, Travis Hamonic, Marc Methot and Dion Phaneuf. Mark Giordano and Kevin Bieksa would provide great leadership. Morgan Rielly and Justin Schultz are two young and promising defensemen who could be among the league's best in a couple of years.

*confirmed are Kevin Bieksa and Marc Methot

Other possibilities: Brian Campbell, Jared Cowen, Tyler Myers, Kris Russell

Offense

A line of Eric Staal between Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle could also have been a possibility at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. Hall is one of the best young players in the NHL.

This potential forward group is talented, dynamic and fun to watch. Some of them have played great roles for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships in the past. Most of them would want to show their development and skillset to Team Canada as a first audition for the next Olympic team. 

A great addition for leadership to this young group would be Shane Doan, but it's a tough one convincing a 37-year old to make the trip to Belarus.

*confirmed are David Perron and Kyle Turris

Other possibilites: Tyler Bozak, Troy Brouwer, Ryan Clowe, Shane Doan, Nazem Kadri, Bryan Little, Clarke MacArthur, Sean Monahan, Mark Scheifele, Jason Spezza, Joel Ward, Travis Zajac

Some players such as Ladd and Bernier are dealing with injuries, but there is some time left.

Still with almost four weeks to go, first time general manager Rob Blake will leave a couple of spots open for players who will be eliminated after the first playoff round. It will be interesting to see how Blake will assemble his team for Belarus and who will answer the call to represent the Olympic gold medalist.

Line Combos

Hall - E. Staal - Eberle
Kane - Turris - Perron
Ladd - Staal - Hodgson
Skinner - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Strome
Huberdeau

Methot - Phaneuf
Giordano - Bieksa
Alzner - Hamonic
Rielly - Schultz
Green

Bernier
Holtby

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Mirco Müller - Der Saisonrückblick 2013/14 mit den Everett Silvertips in der WHL

Mirco Müller
- SUI, 21.03.1995
- 193 cm / 91 kg
- NHL Entry Draft: 2013 / 1. Runde / 18. insgesamt / San Jose Sharks
- NHL Organisation: San Jose Sharks
- WHL Verein: Everett Silvertips
- AHL Verein: Worcester Sharks
- Vertrag bis Ende 2017/18

Am vergangenen Samstag ging die Western Hockey League (WHL, die Juniorenliga im Westen von Kanada)-Saison für Mirco Müller mit einer 0:5-Niederlage gegen die Seattle Thunderbirds zu Ende. Im Achtelfinale verloren die Everett Silvertips, das Team des Schweizers, die best-of-seven-Serie mit 1:4. Doch noch ist die Saison des 19-jährigen noch nicht vorbei: Gestern wurde er von seiner NHL-Organisation, den San Jose Sharks, in dessen Farmteam beordert.

In der ersten Runde gedraftet

Der 30. Juni 2013 wird Müller sicherlich für immer in bester Erinnerung bleiben: im Prudential Center, der Heimstätte der New Jersey Devils wurde er in der ersten Runde an insgesamt 18. Stelle von den San Jose Sharks gewählt. Noch vor dem Draft waren eigentlich die Detroit Red Wings an 18. Stelle an der Reihe gewesen. Doch die Sharks hielten sehr viel vom Schweizer, welcher von verschiedenen Experten sogar als möglicher Top 10-Draft gesehen wurde. Als der Schweizer nach 17 gewählten Spielern immer noch verfügbar war, kam es auf dem Parkett des NHL Drafts zu einem Trade: die Sharks schickten ihren Erstrundenpick (20. Stelle insgesamt) und einen Zweitrundenpick (58. Stelle insgesamt) an die Red Wings, um zwei Plätze aufzusteigen und wählten dann Mirco Müller an 18. Stelle. 

Mirco Müller: 2013 in der 1. Runde von den San Jose Sharks gedraftet.

In seinem Draftjahr - so nennt man die letzte Saison bevor ein Spieler für die NHL draftberechtigt wird - hatte er in seiner ersten Saison in Übersee mit den Everett Silvertips mit seiner Statistik überzeugt: 63 Sp, 6 T, 25 A, 31 P. Mit den 31 Punkten war er zweitbester Punktesammler unter allen Rookie-Verteidigern der WHL. In den Playoffs kam er auf: 6 Sp, 0 T, 1 A, 1 P. Seine Leistung wurde mit der Wahl in der ersten Runde des Drafts belohnt. Vor seinem Wechsel nach Übersee hatte er bei Winterthur und Kloten die Juniorenabteilungen durchlaufen und kam als 17-jähriger auch bereits im Fanionteam der Kloten Flyers zu 7 Einsätzen, wobei ihm ein Tor gelang.

Bestätigung nach dem Draft

Bei den Everett Silvertips ist er nun auf dem besten Wege zum nächsten Schweizer NHL-Spieler heran zu reifen. Seit Juni 2013 heisst sein Coach Kevin Constantine, der in der Saison 2012/13 bei Ambrì-Piotta in der Schweizer NL A gefeuert wurde. Müller erhielt von Constantine sehr viel Eiszeit, auch in den Special Teams, Überzahl und Unterzahl. Seine Punkteausbeute in der abgelaufenen Saison: 60 Sp, 5 T, 22 A, 27 P. Playoffs: 5 Sp, 1 T, 1 A, 2 P. Sein Team wurde 5. von 10 Mannschaften in der Western Conference der WHL, scheiterte dann aber in 5 Spielen in der ersten Runde der Playoffs gegen die Seattle Thunderbirds.

Zählte bei der U-20 WM in Malmö zu den Teamstützen der Schweizer.

An der U-20 WM erzielte der gebürtige Winterthurer zwei Punkte (5 Sp, 1 T, 1 A, 2 P) und wurde damit bester Punktesammler unter den Schweizer Verteidigern. 

Saison noch nicht zu Ende

Müller mag mit seinen Silvertips in der Juniorenliga im Westen von Kanada ausgeschieden sein. Aber gestern wurde bekannt, dass seine NHL-Organisation, die San Jose Sharks, ihn für die restliche Saison ins Farmteam befördert haben. Somit kommt er, falls nichts dazwischen kommt, heute Abend zu seinem Debut mit den Worcester Sharks gegen die Portland Pirates in der AHL. Man darf gespannt sein, wie der Erstrundendraft sich in der Profiliga zurechtfinden wird. Die kommenden Spiele werden zeigen, wie weit der Bruder von Alina Müller (Bronzemedaillen-Gewinner mit der Schweizer Frauennationalmannschaft an den Olympischen Spielen in Sochi) wirklich in seiner Entwicklung steht. 

Lobende Worte vom General Manager

Doug Wilson, General Manager der San Jose Sharks, zeigte sich gestern in einem Interview mit den San Jose Mercury News begeistert vom talentierten Schweizer: "He's a world-class skater," wurde er zitiert. "His hockey sense - he's very mature in how he plays the game. He fits with how the game is being played in this league right now. We have very high expectations for him." Das haben Müller und sämtliche Schweizer Eishockeyfans sicherlich gerne gehört.

Im Dress der Everett Silvertips drängte sich der Schweizer für die AHL auf.

Aufgrund seines Alters darf der 19-jährige die kommende Saison aber trotz seinen bevorstehenden Einsätzen mit den Worcester Sharks nicht in der AHL starten. Entweder er schafft den Sprung aus dem Trainingscamp der San Jose Sharks direkt in die NHL oder er wird zurück zu seinem Juniorenteam, den Everett Silvertips in die WHL geschickt. Das besagen die Regeln des CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement: Gesamtarbeitsvertrag zwischen der NHLPA (Spielerorganisation der NHL) und der NHL). Also könnte Müller nächste Saison - falls er den Sprung in die NHL nicht schaffen würde - erst wieder zum AHL-Team stossen, wenn die Saison mit den Silvertips zu Ende wäre.
Doch wer weiss: wenn man die Worte von Wilson hört, könnte der NHL-Traum vom Schweizer schon bald in Erfüllung gehen. Mit den kommenden Spielen in der AHL kann Müller zumindest eine weitere Bewerbung für das NHL-Kader der San Jose Sharks von 2014/15 abgeben.