Swiss Update

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=6493&mode=threaded&order=0

Beat Foster, D

(Born 1983-02-02)

Drafted 2001, Round 3 (78th overall) by the Phoenix Coyotes


Beat Foster is a very interesting young player. Foster’s physical presence on the ice has become very important for the HC Davos of the Swiss National League. It is very hard to say if Foster will make his way to North America, but if he does he will probably need one or two years at the AHL level.



Severin Blindenbacher, D

(Born 1983-03-15)

Drafted 2001, Round 9 (273rd overall) by the Phoenix Coyotes


Blindenbacher is another notable Swiss prospect who plays with the Klothen Flyers.

He is one of the most positive developing players in the Swiss league within the last few years. He was a member of the Swiss Silver Medal Team at the 2003 U20 World Championships. He has played for the Swiss National Team since 2003. Blindenabcher has turned into a very skilled all around defender and might have a realistic chance to get an invitation for the 2004 Coyotes Training Camp.

Loic Burkhalter, LW

(Born 1980-02-11)

Drafted 2003, Round 10 (290th overall) by the Phoenix Coyotes


Member of Swiss National League Team HC Ambri for the 2003-04 season. (11 G 10 A in 21 games

The Swiss league has almost finished its regular season. I think there are about three games left. Beat's team, Davos, have pretty much made it into the eight team playoffs, currently sitting fourth in the league. Burkhalter (Ambri-Piotta -6th) and Blindenbacher (Kloten -7th) are in a close four way battle with Friborgo and Claude Lemieux's Zugo for the last three last playoff spots. If they dont make it they will go into a relegation group. Yesterday Davos defeated Kloten 3-2.

Beat Forster I think missed pre-season and the start of the season. He has returned to play career highs of 37 games and 8 points, fourth best among Davos defensemen. He only has 28 pims, tied for third among defensemen. It is his fourth season as a professional having played 107 games since 2000. Notable teammates include Jonas Hoglund who has 20-16-36 in 28 games (perhaps the best PPG ratio in the NLA) and Reto von Arx (19 games for Blackhawks and 46 points in 41 games).

Severin Blindenbacher is doing well. Last year he outscored Marko Kiprusoff, a well-regarded Finnish defenseman with 23 points to 19. Im having a hard time finding his stats this year. I did find them at one point only for the computer to bluescreen on me :mad: I think however he is again the top scoring defenseman and has 7 goals and 23 points this year. If anyone can find them that'd be good. Kloten have just signed Brian Felsner (played a few games for Blackhawks) which should help their offense which features Bartschi (37pts in 44 games drafted 7th round - pity we didnt get him) and Swiss veteran internationals M.Pluss and E.Peter.
Personal motto: "Remember, each day above ground is a good one"
For a cool Flash intro go to www.be03.ch - recommended.

Loic Burkhalter has 18-17-36 in 42 games which is a step up from 12-20-32 that he posted last year. He is probably in the top 20 scorers. It is his sixth or so professional season and his numbers very much mirror that of a power forward's development. However he is overshadowed by Jean Guy Trudel and Hnat Domenichelli on his team. Trudel is in a race for the points leader with 65pts and has an extremely impressive league leading 30 goals. Domenichelli has 23 goals and 55pts.

saw Beat play in the Davos Cup (one of those Xmas tournaments) and he did not play very well and was targetted by the Canadian forwards all night as a guy who would and did cough up the puck. I think his game is better suited to the smaller ice surface though. He's more of a hitter.