Sven Baertschi Calls It Quits
In a surprising turn of events, Swiss professional ice hockey player Sven Baertschi has announced his retirement at the age of 30. The former Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks forward, who was drafted 13th overall in 2011, has decided to hang up his skates for good.
Impressive Career Cut Short
Baertschi's career, while impressive, has been marred by injuries. He made significant strides after being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in 2015, playing in 225 games and scoring 110 points. His performance earned him a three-year, $10.1 million contract with the Canucks in 2018.
However, a concussion later that year limited his time on the ice significantly. Post-concussion, Baertschi only managed to play 33 more NHL games. He spent most of the subsequent two seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL), battling the lingering effects of his injury.
A Brief Stint with the Golden Knights
In 2021, Baertschi signed a two-way deal with the Vegas Golden Knights, but only appeared in one NHL game with them. His struggle with post-concussion symptoms continued to hamper his ability to perform at the highest level.
Return to Hometown and Retirement
Returning to his roots, Baertschi spent his last season playing for Bern SC, his hometown team in Switzerland. Despite having a contract with Bern SC until the end of the 2024-25 season, he has chosen to retire early.
In a Swiss-language interview, Baertschi revealed the struggles he faced due to his concussion: “The eyes are the problem,” he said. “The puck is a bit hazy. That’s why it’s hard to play this way right now… There are different symptoms, depends on the day. Yesterday it was the eyes, but I also had a headache.”
It's clear that the lingering effects of his injury have played a significant role in his decision to retire. While it's always tough to see a player's career cut short due to injury, Baertschi's health must come first.
The world of hockey will surely miss Baertschi's presence on the ice. His dedication and resilience throughout his career have been commendable. We wish him all the best as he steps into this new chapter of his life.