Former Kanuk Jake Virtanen signs for Swiss League second division team

tomtidgewellNovember 8, 2022

Former Vancouver Canuck Jake Virtanen has signed a two-year contract with EHC Visp Sport AG in Switzerland.

A statement from the club said Virtanen is using the opportunity in the second division to “restart his career”.

Virtanen, 26, has spent most of his professional career in the NHL, including “a trip to the KHL with Spartak Moscow last season.”

Die EHC Visp Sport AG verpflichtet für diese und nächste Saison den 26-jährigen Jake Virtanen. //t.co/sMWu1D8NgM pic.twitter.com/ESDp4FYcgl

—EHC Visp Sport AG (@EHCVisp) November 6, 2022

He signed with the Canucks in 2014 “three years earlier than Niko Hisiel” and held a Finnish passport. Hischier is a Swiss hockey superstar who, at the age of 23, is the captain of the New Jersey Devils.

“As with any import, the challenge is also to ensure that Jake adapts to the Swiss League match as quickly as possible. EHC Visp Sport AG welcomes Jake and his life partner,” said EHC Visp Sport AG. statement is written.

EHC Visp Sport AG participates in the Swiss League, which is the lower level of the Swiss National League. At the end of each season, the best team in the Swiss League will face the worst team in the National League in a Best of 7 series and, if successful, steal the team and enter the National League.

Forward Virtanen was the Canucks’ first-round pick in 2014 and was the sixth overall pick. He played his 317 games with the team, but was acquired in May 2021 after being accused of sexual assault. He was later charged but was acquitted in July 2022.

Former Canucks winger Jake Vertanen will arrive at the BC Supreme Court for a sexual assault trial in July. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO /PNG

Birtanen’s career high was 36 points (18 goals) scored in the 2019-20 season.

While playing for Russia, he scored 9 goals and recorded 7 assists in 36 appearances.

The Edmonton Oilers gave Virtanen a tryout at the start of the 2022/23 season, but he failed to impress and was sacked.

EHC Visp Sport AG plays in the arena of Torveg, a small town in the heart of the Swiss ski resorts. The team have been playing since mid-September, and with a 10-10 record that puts him in sixth place, Virtanen’s arrival will undoubtedly be a welcome addition. There are 10 teams in the league.

The only Canadian on the team is Dominique Forget, 31, from Quebec who played one game in the AHL in the 2003/2004 season and has been playing in Europe since.