Andres Ambuhl played his 100th World Championship game for Switzerland against Italy.
photo: Andre Ringuette / HHOF-IIHF Images
In recent years, Swiss hockey has been almost unthinkable without the presence of Andres Ambuhl. The fleet-footed forward from Davos returns for his 15th IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship this year and made his 100th appearance in the competition as Switzerland began its campaign with a convincing 9-0 victory against Italy in Bratislava.
However, as a consummate team player, Ambuhl was determined to ensure that the focus on his career would not detract from his country’s need to make a strong start to the tournament.
“Of course, it’s pretty special,” he said. “It’s not that common usual that someone gets to play 100 games at the World Championship. But in the end, this was still a game. It was a good start to the tournament. We haven’t always been able to get off to a good start in the last couple of years, so we’ll take that.”
The 35-year-old made his debut in 2004 when Swiss hockey was in a very different place. That first roster was almost entirely home-based, with just one NHLer involved in the national program. Switzerland had not won a World Championship medal since 1953 and had spent the 90s on something of a roller coaster: three promotions from Pool B, two relegations and two losses in bronze medal games. In the early 2000s, the Alpine nation was steadying its position; today the Swiss began their campaign in Bratislava as silver medallists from last year.
However, as a consummate team player, Ambuhl was determined to ensure that the focus on his career would not detract from his country’s need to make a strong start to the tournament.
“Of course, it’s pretty special,” he said. “It’s not that common usual that someone gets to play 100 games at the World Championship. But in the end, this was still a game. It was a good start to the tournament. We haven’t always been able to get off to a good start in the last couple of years, so we’ll take that.”
The 35-year-old made his debut in 2004 when Swiss hockey was in a very different place. That first roster was almost entirely home-based, with just one NHLer involved in the national program. Switzerland had not won a World Championship medal since 1953 and had spent the 90s on something of a roller coaster: three promotions from Pool B, two relegations and two losses in bronze medal games. In the early 2000s, the Alpine nation was steadying its position; today the Swiss began their campaign in Bratislava as silver medallists from last year.
Over the last few years we’ve started to believe we can achieve something.
For Ambuhl, it’s a case of success breeding success. “Before, we were always trying just to reach that quarter-final. Now we’ve won two silver medals and we’re starting to believe we can reach the top,” he said.
There’s a similar feeling about the way Swiss players have proved themselves at the highest level. In 2004, only goaltender Martin Gerber was an active NHLer; today the likes of Roman Josi, Yannick Weber, Nico Hischier and Saturday’s hat-trick hero Kevin Fiala ply their trade in the big league – inspiring a new generation to aim high.
“It’s a tribute to how the Swiss program has developed,” Ambuhl added. “All the good young players try to go over there and make it to the NHL now. It’s a big achievement for Switzerland.”
One of Ambuhl’s team-mates at his first World Championship was Patrick Fischer, who now coaches the Swiss national team. Reminded of this, the winger smiled: “It just shows how time passes. When I started playing on a pro level he was there, now he’s my coach.”
However, Ambuhl is in no rush to follow Fischer behind the bench. “Let’s play a couple more years before thinking about coaching!”
There’s a similar feeling about the way Swiss players have proved themselves at the highest level. In 2004, only goaltender Martin Gerber was an active NHLer; today the likes of Roman Josi, Yannick Weber, Nico Hischier and Saturday’s hat-trick hero Kevin Fiala ply their trade in the big league – inspiring a new generation to aim high.
“It’s a tribute to how the Swiss program has developed,” Ambuhl added. “All the good young players try to go over there and make it to the NHL now. It’s a big achievement for Switzerland.”
One of Ambuhl’s team-mates at his first World Championship was Patrick Fischer, who now coaches the Swiss national team. Reminded of this, the winger smiled: “It just shows how time passes. When I started playing on a pro level he was there, now he’s my coach.”
However, Ambuhl is in no rush to follow Fischer behind the bench. “Let’s play a couple more years before thinking about coaching!”
Andres Ambuhl was congratulated for reaching his milestone.
photo: Andre Ringuette / HHOF-IIHF Images
That would potentially see an appearance at a home World Championship next season. It could also cement Ambuhl’s place among the highest appearance makers ever in the top division of the World Championship. Switzerland’s next game against Latvia on Sunday should see Ambuhl become only the 19th player to make more than 100 appearances at this level. By the end of the group phase he could draw level with Soviet legend Vyacheslav Fetisov, Swiss record-holder Mathias Seger and Germany’s five-time Olympian Dieter Hegen; if Switzerland returns to the medal games Ambuhl might tie Jiri Holik on 109 games to share in third place overall. Udo Kiessling, who represented West Germany (and later a united Germany) from 1973 to 1992, is top of the list with 119 outings.
Ambuhl’s place in that exalted company is no accident. Two assists in the Italy game moved him to 44 (19+25) points, placing him third in Switzerland’s all-time scoring charts. And he has clearly won the respect of his team-mates along the way. Defenceman Joel Genazzi – a man with considerable experience of his own – said: “It’s crazy. He’s such a great guy and a great hockey player. He’s been doing this for 15 years, I can’t even imagine it! He’s still one of the best players, he’s older but he’s one of the faster guys.
“He always goes hard and he’s a pure example for the younger Swiss guys. Even when I was younger I looked up to him. He’s just a class act. 100 games, I’m really proud of him.”
And Roman Josi added: “He's such a great teammate. He's done so much for Swiss hockey over the years. One hundred games, it’s awesome. We are all really excited for him.”
But Ambuhl himself remains modest about such praise. “What can I say? I just try to be a good guy. Maybe it’s better to let other people talk about that,” he smiled.
Ambuhl’s place in that exalted company is no accident. Two assists in the Italy game moved him to 44 (19+25) points, placing him third in Switzerland’s all-time scoring charts. And he has clearly won the respect of his team-mates along the way. Defenceman Joel Genazzi – a man with considerable experience of his own – said: “It’s crazy. He’s such a great guy and a great hockey player. He’s been doing this for 15 years, I can’t even imagine it! He’s still one of the best players, he’s older but he’s one of the faster guys.
“He always goes hard and he’s a pure example for the younger Swiss guys. Even when I was younger I looked up to him. He’s just a class act. 100 games, I’m really proud of him.”
And Roman Josi added: “He's such a great teammate. He's done so much for Swiss hockey over the years. One hundred games, it’s awesome. We are all really excited for him.”
But Ambuhl himself remains modest about such praise. “What can I say? I just try to be a good guy. Maybe it’s better to let other people talk about that,” he smiled.