Swiss Touch on Ice — in Conversation with Jonas Siegenthaler
Hockey player Jonas Siegenthaler brings a Swiss Touch to NHL ice. The 21-year-old Washington Capitals player talks to us about his passion for hockey, his big breakthrough with the NHL and how it feels to represent Switzerland in the professional ice hockey league of the United States and Canada.
Where does your passion for hockey come from?
Jonas Siegenthaler: I started playing ice hockey because of my older brother. When I was a kid, I went to all of his games and wanted to be just like him. So when I was four years old, I told my dad that I wanted to play hockey just like my brother. Luckily, we lived pretty close to the ice rink. But for a long time, I was never that guy who stood out from the rest of the players. Then when I turned 14 years old, I grew really quickly and had quite an advantage over the other players on the ice. That’s when things really started to pick up and I understood that the sport could become something serious for me.
Was it always a dream of yours to play in the NHL?
JS: Yes, for sure. To me, it is the best league in the world. It’s very difficult to get your foot in. I was lucky I was drafted and now have the chance to play here. I get to learn from so many players in the team that have been a part of the NHL for many years. If you need some help with something, you can go ask them. That’s why my coach at home in Zurich always tells me to watch and learn from their experiences. It’s the small things that make a big difference in the end.
What are some of the differences between playing in the National League in Switzerland and playing in the NHL?
Jonas Siegenthaler: First of all, the rink is bigger back home in Switzerland. That means there is more time and space to play and you do not get hit that quickly as you do here; the game back home is not as physical. The best players in the world play in the NHL, so the game standards are just so high here. You have to be on point every game you play. And looking at the styles of training, I guess the coaches from the U.S. and Canada can be pretty . . . intense.
What has been your favorite NHL moment so far?
JS: My first game, for sure. When I woke up in the morning, I knew that I was about to play my first game in the evening. I was nervous the whole day. When I got onto the ice and I heard the anthem playing, I just stood there and looked around. The whole arena was packed with people and it was breathtaking; it was just an unreal feeling. That is a moment I would never trade for anything else.
How does it feel to represent Switzerland in the NHL?
JS: I would say that everybody is proud to represent their own country; I love Switzerland and the city of Zurich, where I grew up. But when you are playing for an NHL team, you don’t come together as different representations of countries, but as a member of one NHL team. Of course, that will look very different in May when the World Championships take place; there, everyone wants to make their country proud.
Have you had a chance to meet other Swiss players who are currently playing in the NHL?
JS: I do not know all of the players very well, but if we play against each other, then we’ll have a little chat before or after the game. I am pretty close to the players who are around my own age like Nico Hischier or Denis Malgin; I recently met Malgin in Florida for dinner after one of our games.
Have you been able to travel a lot in the U.S. or do you stay mostly in Washington, D.C.?
JS: We play all over the United States and Canada, so I get to travel for the different games. Fortunately, we are able to see a little bit of the different cities when we visit for a game. I’ve seen a lot so far and I think that is definitely one of the perks that comes with playing at this level. But in the end, the traveling is not about vacationing; when it’s game day you have to be ready.
What’s next for you?
JS: Right now, it’s all about the playoffs. We’ll see where it takes us, but the Washington Capitals know what it takes to win.
