Michael Raffl: From the NHL to Lausanne

Hockey Club Lausanne announced the signing of Michael Raffl on its website with the famous hockey term “Signed”.

From the National Hockey League to the Swiss National League. After a total of nine seasons in the NHL, the 33-year-old from Villach, who laced up his skates in North America for the Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals and most recently the Dallas Stars, is moving to Lausanne in Switzerland for an initial two-year spell.

In 590 regular-season games, Raffl recorded 179 points (89 goals and 90 assists). He added another eleven points in the playoffs (7 goals and 4 assists).

Lausanne head coach John Fust expressed his delight at the high-profile transfer on the club’s official website: “Michael has proven his value as a leader in the NHL and with the Austrian national team. He has a versatile profile, as he can play at centre or on the wing. We are looking forward to having him in our organisation for the next two seasons.”

Benjamin Baumgartner joins Bern

Benjamin Baumgartner will not, however, become Raffl’s team-mate in Lausanne. The Salzburg native will be hunting goals for SC Bern from next season.

Baumgartner, who received most of his training in HC Davos’ youth system, is leaving Lausanne after one season and has signed a two-year contract until the end of 2023/2024.

SC Bern sporting director Andrew Ebbett said of the signing of the ÖEHV forward: “Benjamin Baumgartner is a young player with incredibly high potential and skill level who is joining us. He will give us additional depth at centre. I am very pleased that the transfer has worked out.”

The 22-year-old was named “Austria’s Player of the Year” in 2019, and was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the NHL Draft in 2020. Baumgartner was injured in the game against the USA at the World Championship in Tampere and had to miss the remainder of the tournament.