EHC Biel and HC Ambrì-Piotta have both signed a Finnish goaltender for the upcoming season, while HC Lugano, EHC Kloten, and the ZSC Lions are rumored to be intentioned to rely on an import goaltender as well. With the increase to six foreigners allowed in the lineup, some clubs have thus decided to look abroad to fill the goaltender job.
According to Thomas Bäumle, this might be problematic for the future of the national team but he also sees opportunities in this situation: "Competition and pressure will increase; it will not be as easy as it used to be to land in the National League. In this sense, our young goalies will have to work harder and so the quality may perhaps increase, especially from the athletic point of view."
"Clearly there will be repercussions in the future, I am convinced that several Swiss young netminders seeing their path barred will soon try to emigrate overseas and work their way up by going through the North American junior leagues" continues Bäumle.
