Stars first-rounder banned from representing home country

19-year-old defenceman Lian Bichsel's scouting report from EliteProspects 2022 NHL Draft Guide states he plays with an energy "that will endear him to any coach." For the coach of the Swiss National Team, that energy isn't enough, and he's banned bichsel from representing Switzerland at any international competition for the next two years.

According to Sport.ch, Bichsel, who they call the country's best defensive prospect, twice turned down an invite to the World Juniors. Swiss National Team coach Patrick Fischer has invoked his right to bar Bichsel from getting an invite to the World Championships for the next two years.

https://x.com/TV4_Hockey/status/1782491210818498602

Fischer added an invite to the senior men's team likely would have gotten a yes from Bichsel, and he doesn't like that at all.

Bichsel did give reasons for his refusal to play in the last two World Juniors. While he has played with the Texas Stars of the AHL, he's spent most of the past two seasons in the SHL in Sweden. In last year's case, he had just started playing for Rogle and said it would be harder to integrate himself into the team if he left to play at the WJC. Before that, Bichsel wanted to be exempt from part of the training for the tournament. The Swiss team said no, so Bichsel declined.

Bichsel was drafted 18th overall by the Dallas Stars in 2022. He started 2023-24 with Texes in the AHL, but played just 16 games before heading to Sweden. He had a goal and 6 assists in those games. Bichsel's ban ends in 2026, when Switzerland hosts the World Championships.