VISP, Switzerland – Former Swiss national team forward Walter Salzmann passed away on Wednesday. He died of cancer at the age of 76.

Salzmann played his entire career for his hometown team EHC Visp except for two seasons spent as player-coach of HC Sion. His line with Herold Truffer and Kurt Pfammatter gained national fame and led the club to its only national championship in 1962 coached by player legend Bibi Torriani.

Salzmann also represented Switzerland in 30 international games including the 1963 IIHF World Championship B-Pool and the 1964 Olympic Winter Games.

Later Salzmann was active as a coach and president of EHC Visp and was named honorary president. He then worked as a businessman and was active as a politician in the executive of his hometown and in the regional parliament.

EHC Visp was relegated later on and plays in the second tier nowadays, with Salzmann's grandson Fabian Heldner on the roster.