Ice hockey in Switzerland is one of the most popular team sports in the country rivaling football in terms of attendances and TV ratings.[2][3][4]
History
In September 1908, the Swiss Ice Hockey Association became a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation.[5] Bellerive would go on to win the first national championship just one year later. Within a decade, the Swiss Ice Hockey Association expanded to 23 distinguished clubs.
The Swiss Ice Hockey Federation organizes amateur and professional ice hockey in the country.[6] The Spengler Cup is one of the biggest ice hockey tournaments in all of Switzerland and holds the title of oldest invitational ice hockey tournament in the world, capturing the attention of millions of hockey fans throughout the nation annually.[7]
National leagues
Men
National League (NL) is the highest professional tier in Swiss men's hockey, called the National League A until 2017.[8][9][10] Below the National League are the professional Swiss League, previously called the National League B, followed by the third-tier MySports League. The amateur Regio League comprises the 1. Liga, 2. Liga, 3. Liga, and 4. Liga, which make up the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th levels of Swiss men’s ice hockey respectively.
The National League regularly holds the record for highest average attendances of any league outside of North America. During the 2022/23 regular season, the 14 teams achieved an average attendance of more than 7000 spectators per game.[11]
Women
The top women’s hockey league in Switzerland was founded in 1986 as the Leistungsklasse A (LKA; 'Performance Class A'), officially known in French as the Ligue nationale A (LNA) and in Italian as the Lega Nazionale A (LNA). It was renamed as the Swiss Women's Hockey League A (SWHL A) in 2014. In 2019, the league name was shortened to Women's League, the name currently in use, though SWHL A continues to be used for abbreviation by many sources. The EHC Kloten Specials were named the first Swiss Champions in women's ice hockey after winning the inaugural season of the league in 1986–87.
As ice hockey grew in popularity among young women throughout the nation, a second-tier league called the Leistungsklasse B (LKB), was formed in 1988. Additional lower-level leagues were created over time and eventually adopted designations as parts of the SWHL league system. As of 2021[update], three national leagues exist below the Women's League: SWHL B, SWHL C, and SWHL D.[12]
National team
The Swiss national team badge is based on the coat of arms of Switzerland and is used on the player jerseys.
They have 67 IIHF Championships appearances dating back to 1930. This includes three distinguished second place finishes in 1935, 2013, and 2018. Additionally, they have made eight European Championship appearances, including a first place gold finish in 1921.
The men’s national team boasts a respected twenty Olympic appearances, including bronze medal finishes in 1928 and 1948.[13][14][15]
The women's national team has participated in every iteration of the IIHF Women's World Championship since the tournament was officially established in 1990 and have played exclusively in the Top Division since 2007. They have appeared in every women's ice hockey tournament at the Winter Olympics since 2006. In addition, they participated in all six IIHF European Women Championships before the tournament was discontinued after 1995.
Switzerland has produced several global iconic hockey talents that have made it to the NHL level. While not a traditional hockey powerhouse, Switzerland continues to aggressively enforce a continued & growing presence in the NHL, as well as international competition.
Aebischer was a goaltender drafted in the 6th round by the Colorado Avalanche. Although mostly relegated to backup duties for most of his career he was a member of the Stanley Cup winning Avalanche in the 2001 finals. This was notable as he was the first player from Switzerland to win the Stanley Cup. Aebischer also later played for the Montreal Canadiens and the Phoenix Coyotes along with various Swiss teams.[16]
Streit was named the 13th captain in New York Islanders franchise history. This was a major milestone for hockey in Switzerland as Streit was the first Swiss player to be named the captain of an NHL franchise. He has also served as the captain of Team Switzerland at the Winter Olympic Games.[17] Streit was drafted in the ninth round of the 2004 NHL Draft. He also later played with the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Montreal Canadiens.[18]
Although Hiller went undrafted he was able to have a successful NHL career in which he played in over 400 games. Hiller started his career in Anaheim with the Ducks in 2007. He played in Anaheim for seven years before spending the final two years of his career with the Calgary Flames.[19][20]
Nino Niederreiter is an NHL forward currently playing for the Winnipeg Jets. Niederreiter made history in the 2010 NHL draft when he was selected fifth overall by the New York Islanders.[21] Although not initially finding much success initially with the Islanders, Niederreiter hit his stride after being traded to the Minnesota Wild for Cal Clutterbuck in 2013 scoring a career high 25 goals in the 2016-2017.[22]
After being drafted in the second round of the 2008 NHL draft by Nashville he made his debut in 2011. Josi made some history in the 2013 World Championships by becoming the first player to win MVP and Best Defenseman for Switzerland in the history of this tournament in route to helping Switzerland earn a Silver Medal. Josi has since played in two NHL All Star games and been named captain of the Predators.[23]
Meier is among the emerging young group of highly touted Swiss to enter the NHL in recent years. Meier was the ninth overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft by the San Jose Sharks. He was able to crack the NHL in the 2016 season and scored a career high 30 goals and 66 points in the 2018-2019 season.[24]
After being a major success playing in the QMJHL for Halifax, Hischier was considered a top prospect in his draft class and was ranked number two out of North American Skaters. However, Hischier was considered the best overall player by many top NHL scouts, so it wasn’t too surprising when New Jersey selected him first overall in the 2017 NHL Draft.
[25] Hischier broke the record for highest drafted Swiss player previously held by Niederreiter when he was selected first overall by the Devils in the 2017 NHL draft.[26]
^Levy, Patricia; Lord, Richard; Nevins, Debbie (15 July 2015). Switzerland: Third Edition. Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC. ISBN9781502603449. Retrieved 20 June 2019 – via Google Books.
^Valloni, Lucien W.; Pachmann, Thilo (28 February 2018). Sports Law in Switzerland. Kluwer Law International B.V. ISBN9789041195685. Retrieved 21 June 2019 – via Google Books.
