Season 79 is a little over half way done, and for those who crave international hockey, now is the time to be looking forward to the annual IIHF tournament taking place in a month's time. For some of us, it might be our 10th tournament, but some players will be making their long awaited debuts for the country that they chose to be born in. Exciting times indeed!

This will be my first tournament as (assistant) Co-GM in Switzerland with @Valpix, and in order for me to learn the team, the strengths and the weaknesses, as we head into recruitment season, I thought I'd write about the depth chart for the country and what fans can look forward to from one of the most underrated nations.

Goaltenders:

1. Tibuk Soonika - S70 - 2008 TPE
46 GP
2. Rebecca Montagne - S62 - 1184 TPE
116GP

In The System:

3. Walter Scheibli - S78 - 575 TPE

Rebecca Montagne should go down as one of the best, if not the best, Swiss goaltender in the history of the SHL but it is Tibuk Soonika's crease and it doesn't look like they are going to give it up any time soon. Walter Scheibli looks to be a can't miss goaltending prospect as well, which bodes well for the future of the crease.


Defensemen:

1. Ace Lightning - S70 - 1985 TPE
97 GP
2. Antonio Flusso - S67 - 1708 TPE
131 GP
3. Slowpoke - S75 - 1112 TPE
53 GP
4. Marcel Beck - S60 - 985 TPE
157 GP
5. Dash Jackson - S76 - 912 TPE
13 GP
6. Luca Hunziker - S64 - 851 TPE
157 GP

In the system:

Nobody

Overall, the defense corps of Switzerland is decently strong but on the older side. There are two promising prospects in Slowpoke and Dash Jackson, who will be the future of the team in just a few short seasons. Unfortunately, while there are a few IA's waiting in the wings, there are no active defensemen knocking on the door, which is a big problem that will need to be addressed.


Wingers:
1. Levin Schattenaxt - S71 - 1893 TPE
119 GP
2. Julian Flörsch - S66 - 1605 TPE
157 GP
3. Reed Kobo - S65 - 1463 TPE
157 GP
4. Langston Hardison-Laurent - S74 - 1441 TPE
53 GP
5. Literally Wizard - S75 - 1218 TPE
53 GP
6. Ivan Lacksamus - S63 - 1201 TPE
157 GP
7. Spack Jarrow - S62 - 921 TPE
157GP

In The System:

8. Jason Warwaha - S76 - 475 TPE - UFA
9. Hugo Spycher - S77 - 432 TPE

A very strong collection of wingers for Switzerland, and many of these players have played together for 12 seasons. Reed Kobo, Julian Flörsch and Ivan Lacksamus are three future Hall of Famers, with Levin Schattenaxt, Langston Hardison-Laurent and Literally Wizard as the future core of the nation. Again though, not much is coming down the pipeline in terms of worthy wingers.


Centers:

1. Meta Knight - S67 - 1414 TPE
144 GP
2. NoNo Jo - S76 - 948 TPE
26 GP
3. Andrea Morandi - S78 - 597 TPE
13 GP

In The System:

4. Dejana Kaptina - S79 - 444 TPE

The number 1 Swiss prospect awaits in the system, looking to help lead Switzerland to glory. With NoNo Jo and Andrea Morandi coming up, they will be very deep down the middle in only a few seasons.

Overall, the Switzerland IIHF team has only a few tournaments left with this core to compete for the grandest trophy of them all, before the next wave of talent has to start making their mark. The work starts now, which will incorporate a strong recruitment period over the next few seasons in order to ensure that we do not fall into a dark period.

The nation would be looking to secure at least one other goaltender for the future, and as many defensemen, wingers and centers as possible.