G Elijah Neuenschwander - Fribourg Gottéron, U20-Elit (2025 Draft)

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Elijah Neuenschwander - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Elijah Neuenschwander, 2006-10-17 Biel-Bienne, SUI Switzerland. Most recently in the undefined with Gottéron U20. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

This big, athletic Swiss goalie somehow doesn't seem to have a thread so I figured I just create one.

Probably the most talented of the very promising Swiss 06 goalie group (also featuring Solér, Kirsch and Lachat). Had back to back shutouts for Switzerland at the youth olympics last season.

Also just backstopped a rather weak Swiss 05 group to wins over Sweden and Finland in the Kloten tournament stopping 66 of 67 shots. Not the strongest teams for Sweden and Finland either but Neuenschwander was actually the lone 06 born player on both lineup cards. He's a late birthday as well, therefore not draft eligible until 2025.

Got his first taste of men's hockey just ahead of the tournament and won two games with EHC Chur giving up just one goal.

Brother Jonah could be one of the more interesting forwards available in the 2027 draft:

F Jonah Neuenschwander - Biel-Bienne, U15-Elit (2027 Draft)

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/709625/jonah-neuenschwander One of the most promising talents to come out of Switzerland in the next 5 years. He is currently a step above his age group as a late birthday. He has been playing in the Swiss U15 league where he put up an impressive statline...

forums.hfboards.com

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[JFA87-66-99]

Seems like an interesting prospect. seems like 2025 could have a few goaltenders. How does he compare so far. He has some size

 

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Seems like an interesting prospect. seems like 2025 could have a few goaltenders. How does he compare so far. He has some size

Compare to who you mean?
Compared to his fellow 06 born Swiss goalie prospects I still think Neuenschwander has the highest upside though Phileas Lachat really has come a long way. I wouldn't go as far as to say that Christian Kirsch is overrated but his league play has to be seen in perspective because of the team ahead of him. Also, his international play has been questionable at best. I'm not worried about him but unlike Neuenschwander and Lachat he's definitely still a project and far from a finished product. For the upcoming WJC18 I'd definitely lean on Neuenschwander and Lachat, not Kirsch who can't be trusted yet. I'd also consider selecting Solèr over Kirsch as nr.3.

Neuenschwander and Lachat are fairly similar I think. Very similar stylewise, very similar bodies as well. Both tall, lanky, athletic goalies with excellent technique. I didn't really realize how good Lachat is until this season but though he came out of nowhere (for me) I have to admir that he's really impressive. I think the only area where Neuenschwander has a clear edge is positioning. Neuenschwander's positioning is really impressive for such a young goalie. He's hardly ever scrambling, is barely moving because he simply doesn't have to. Lachat's positioning is good as well not quite on Neuenschwander's level. He does make up for it with flashy saves though. He's definitely more flashy than Neuenschwander. Both of them are fairly consistent already. Neuenschwander does give up a soft goal here and then but doesn't seem to get rattled by it, seems to be mentally strong.

I'm not a fan of comparing prospects to finished players and I'm also not good at those comparisons so I can't really do that. As I said I think that he's the most gifted Swiss 06 goalie prospect though and I think he could be one of the better goalies available in 2025 as well. The WJC18 could be telling which way it's gonna go for Neuenschwander I guess. 2025 may be a stronger year for goalies than 2024 but I still think being a late birthday could help Neuenschwander. Even if he should struggle and not get drafted as a result I think being a late birthday should increase his chances to get drafted as an overager.

 

[JFA87-66-99]

Thank you and so for being so vague. I meant in comparison to other 2025 netminders. Your assessment was great. I'll definitely be keeping track of his progress. Did he recently play for Switzerland at the 5 nations u17 tournament. Can't seem to find stats/results for that tournament that just took place.

 

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Thank you and so for being so vague. I meant in comparison to other 2025 netminders. Your assessment was great. I'll definitely be keeping track of his progress. Did he recently play for Switzerland at the 5 nations u17 tournament. Can't seem to find stats/results for that tournament that just took place.

I don't think I could say enough about all of them. Even my Neuenschwander viewings are kinda limited. I watched most of them but I wouldn't be able to do a ranking just yet. Maybe after the WJC18.

If can tell you though that the only guy I currently have clearly ahead of Neuenschwander (and everybody else) is Josh Ravensbergen. Another guy who, for me, came out of nowhere. He's impressive though. I still think he should have made Canada's WJC20 squad. He'd have been good enough. Well, Neuenschwander should have made the Swiss team as well but that's a story for another day.

As I wrote above, Neuenschwander played the U19 tournament in Kloten, not the U18 tournament in Plymouth. EP somehow not showing the stats but I added them to my post. Note that Neuenschwander didn't get the easy Germany start, played Sweden and Finland instead.

 

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Appears to be Chur's playoff starter despite only playing two regular season games for them. Gave up three goals today in a 2-4 loss but had a shutout in game 1 of the playoff series vs Langenthal.

 

[JFA87-66-99]

I seen a recent mock draft were he was the first goalie drafted. Seems big and already played some pro games. What's his potential like, there's some good goaltending prospects in 2025 it seems

 

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I seen a recent mock draft were he was the first goalie drafted. Seems big and already played some pro games. What's his potential like, there's some good goaltending prospects in 2025 it seems

He's really good. I think his potential is higher than Kirsch's who went in the 4th round this year. I don't see him get drafted ahead of Ravensbergen though. Ravensbergen, with another good season, could very well sneak into the 1st round. Neuenschwander is gonna have to play at a higher level if he wants to get drafted early. Otherwise he won't be more than a mid round pick...may not even get drafted at all if he doesn't dominate the U20 elite league completely.

 

[JFA87-66-99]

I was under the impression right now that Ivankovic and Andreyanov were the the top goalies so far. And there's the Swedish goalie Love Harenstam I think he name is. Should be a good crop of goaltending prospects this upcoming year

 

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I was under the impression right now that Ivankovic and Andreyanov were the the top goalies so far. And there's the Swedish goalie Love Harenstam I think he name is. Should be a good crop of goaltending prospects this upcoming year

Nah. I wrote it in this thread already that Ravensbergen is the clear cut front runner when it comes to goalies of the 2025 NHL draft. I think it would take a lot for somebody to overtake him and I'm really only curious to find out if he can sneak into the 1st round.

From the other 2025 goalies I'm not convinced there's anybody clearly better than Neuenschwander.

 

[JFA87-66-99]

Thanks great input. I'll be keeping track of this thread as the season goes in

 

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Given a C rating by Central Scouting, indicating 4th/5th round candidate. Should normally get drafted but if he's not gonna play pro hockey then I think he should have played his draft season in Sweden or North America. Playing U20 elite league isn't gonna help his chances at the draft. Having said that, he's definitely in a good place in Fribourg. Headcoach Jeff Campbell is a smart man, Conditioning Coach Simon Holdener is one of the best in the business and famous for his summer camps with Roman Josi and other NHL players. Goalie Coach David Aebischer is also one of the best in the business and a former NHL goalie.


Very interesting podcast with Neuenschwander:

 

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Started both exhibitions and game 1 at the WJC20 vs Czechia yesterday. He was mighty strong, stopping everything he possibly could have despite giving up four goals. Named best player so it looks like he's properly beaten out older and already drafted (by the Sharks) Christian Kirsch for the starter gig. Don't think he's gonna start back to back though so it's probably Kirsch's net today vs Slovakia.

Neuenschwander also already got his feet wet playing vs men in the SL this season. If he can keep up his good play at the WJC20 he's probably a good bet to get drafted into the NHL.