Krueger finalises Olympic squad

International newcomer Christen (right) has "barged" his way into the Swiss team Keystone Archive

Switzerland ice hockey coach Ralph Krueger has sprung a couple of surprises in naming his final team selection for next month's Winter Olympics.

In addition to the 17 men named in December, Krueger on Monday called up a further six players, including international newcomer Björn Christen.

The Davos forward featured in Krueger’s training camp for last November’s Deutschland Cup but failed to make it into the Swiss team for the tournament itself.

After impressing both in the national league competition and during Davos’s Spengler Cup triumph, though, Christen has forced his way into Krueger’s plans.

“Most improved player”

“He is definitely the most improved player of the season,” Krueger said on Monday. “He’s managed to barge himself into the team.”

A further surprise came with the nomination of Bern forward Ivo Rüthemann who narrowly missed out on a place in the national squad for last year’s disappointing world championship campaign in Germany.

Reto von Arx, Patrick Fischer, Julien Vauclair and Martin Höhener were the more expected additions to the Salt Lake City squad, which now comprises three goalkeepers, eight defensemen and 12 forwards.

Nine replacements

Krueger has named another nine players as possible replacements should any of his first-choice team pick up injuries between now and the start of the Games. Among the reserves are former first team regulars Alain Demuth, Michel Riesen, Thomas Ziegler and Thierry Paterlini.

The Swiss team are due to assemble in Zurich on January 29, before flying out to Salt Lake City two days later. American-based defenseman Julien Vauclair will join up with the team on February 1, followed by Swedish-based players Martin Gerber and Marcel Jenni on February 3.

On the same day, Switzerland are set to play the first of two friendly warm-up games against Slovakia.

Only on the morning of their first Olympic match will the Swiss team be at full strength, with Colorado Avalanche goalkeeper David Aebischer joining up with his colleagues just hours before the February 9 opener against France.

Swiss ice hockey squad in full:¶

Goalkeepers: David Aebischer (Colorado/USA), Martin Gerber (Färjestad/Swe), Lars Weibel (Davos)

Defensemen: Martin Höhener (Kloten), Olivier Keller (Lugano), Edgar Salis (Zurich Lions), Mathias Seger (Zurich Lions), Martin Steinegger (Bern), Mark Streit (Zurich Lions), Patrick Sutter (Lugano), Julien Vauclair (Grand Rapids Griffins/USA)

Forwards: Jean-Jacques Aeschlimann (Lugano), Björn Christen (Davos), Flavien Conne (Lugano), Gian-Marco Crameri (Zurich Lions), Patric Della Rossa (Zurich Lions), Patrick Fischer (Davos), Sandy Jeannin (Lugano), Marcel Jenni (Färjestad/Swe), Martin Plüss (Kloten), André Rötheli (Lugano), Ivo Rüthemann (Bern), Reto von Arx (Davos)

swissinfo with agencies