U20: 2025 WJC Switzerland roster talk

[Hinterland]

Why does the USHL pump out more draft picks than the Q, for instance?

That's debatable. And even if...the Q is still a much better league. Just look at Matvei Gridin. People said he'd destroy the Q but he's struggling despite playing heavy minutes with Elie and Lacerte. He's barely PPG which is underwhelming for a D+1 season of a winger not really known for physicality or an elite two way game.

Anyway, that's a discussion for a different thread. My point was that selecting Lachat and Kirsch would, in my view, be a mistake because they're playing NAHL, not USHL. NAHL is not particularly high level, I guess we can agree on that. I'm also not a fan of selecting players struggling in NA. Hockey in NA is a lot about opportunities as well. You don't get any opportunities to prove yourself while you're away with the national team. Some teammates of those Swiss players might get sick or injured during that period or they get selected for the WJC20 themselves. If the Swiss kids aren't there then somebody else will get the chance to step up.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

That's debatable. And even if...the Q is still a much better league. Just look at Matvei Gridin. People said he'd destroy the Q but he's struggling despite playing heavy minutes with Elie and Lacerte. He's barely PPG which is underwhelming for a D+1 season of a winger not really known for physicality or an elite two way game.

Anyone can cherry pick an example here or there.

This is draft picks per league (and yes, I left out NTDP players).

2024:

OHL: 39
WHL: 34
USHL: 25
QMJHL: 15

2023:

OHL: 35
WHL: 33
USHL: 26
QMJHL: 12

2022:

OHL: 35
WHL: 28
USHL: 23
QMJHL: 19

Seems a pretty consistent 1-4.

 

[Hinterland]

Anyone can cherry pick an example here or there.

This is draft picks per league (and yes, I left out NTDP players).

2024:

OHL: 39
WHL: 34
USHL: 25
QMJHL: 15

2023:

OHL: 35
WHL: 33
USHL: 26
QMJHL: 12

2022:

OHL: 35
WHL: 28
USHL: 23
QMJHL: 19

Seems a pretty consistent 1-4.

Again. It's debatable. The number of picks doesn't equal talent. And even if I would agree with you the Q is still the better league and this discussion remains off topic. My post was about the goalies playing NAHL instead of USHL. Kirsch and Lachat have to return to the USHL and I'm not sure picking them for the WJC20 would help them with that.