Everything for the NHL dream: Bichsel takes the path of greatest resistance

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Most young ice hockey professionals follow the path prescribed by their clubs and associations. Anders Lian Bichsel (19). The man from Solothurn is not afraid to offend people.

He has been playing in Sweden again since December. The 1.96 meter tall defenseman, who the Dallas Stars drafted in the first round at position 18 in 2022, started the season in the AHL with the Texas Stars. If Stars management had had their way, he would still be there.

General manager Jim Nill traveled to Austin to persuade Bichsel to stay. But he decided to take advantage of the clause that allows him to move to Europe in the first year of his contract if he doesn’t play in the NHL. “Of course, many people were disappointed with my decision,” says Bichsel. “But we had good conversations and I was able to show which path I wanted to take.”

In Sweden he wants to put the finishing touches to an NHL career, working intensively on technique, offensive play and mobility, which would not be possible in the AHL with the many games and long travels. “When I was sent to the AHL after training camp, it meant to me that I was not yet ready for the NHL and that I had to get better,” says the son of former national handball player André Bichsel. “When I return to the US, I will knock again.” This will likely be the case after Rögle’s season ends.

Dallas manager Nill: “He is very mature”

“He knows he is close,” Nill told The Athletic. The Swiss exceeded all expectations. “He’s very mature. He knows where he stands and where he needs to improve. That impressed me the most. That’s why I wanted to trust his instincts.”

When Bichsel returned to Sweden, he did not rejoin Leksand, but switched to Rögle. “I wanted to take the next step.” In addition, the infrastructure, the skills coaches and defensive coach Max Bohlin spoke in favor of the club from Ängelholm.

After Bichsel’s arrival, the coach and athletic director, the Abbott twins Cam and Chris, were fired. And the defender decided to forego the U20 World Cup so as not to jeopardize his position. The association says it accepts the decision. It remains to be seen whether he will be called up to the national team again soon, although Bichsel says he had a “very good conversation” with national coach Patrick Fischer. “It would be cool if I could be part of the national team again,” says the man who was held back from the last World Cup by a broken ankle. “It comes as it comes.”

“There is always a risk involved”

As a reminder: in 2022 there was a dispute between the association and Bichsel. The giant talent wanted to come on later in preparation after a tough summer, after which the U20 World Cup, which was postponed to August, took place without him.

Bichsel is aware that his controversial decisions can also end in a boomerang. “There’s always a risk involved,” he says. “But so far it has always gone well.” He left EHC Biel for Leksand after making his National League debut at the age of 16. Even then, some people shook their heads. A year later, he was drafted in the first round of the NHL draft.

Source : Blick