Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Janis Moser has confirmed his participation for the Swiss national team at the 2026 IIHF World Championship. The tournament will be held on home ice in the Swiss cities of Zurich and Fribourg from May 15 to 31, 2026.
The 25-year-old blueliner's commitment was announced by the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation via the social media platform X. Moser's season with the Lightning recently concluded after the team was eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens in a hard-fought seven-game first-round series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
During the 2023-24 NHL regular season, Moser was a consistent presence in the Tampa Bay lineup, appearing in 79 games. He contributed offensively with seven goals and two assists, posting an impressive plus-41 plus/minus rating. In the playoffs, he recorded three points, including one goal and two assists, across seven postseason contests.
Moser will be joining a formidable Swiss roster for the home World Championship. The team's defensive corps will be anchored by Nashville Predators star Roman Josi, a perennial Norris Trophy contender. The forward group is equally stacked with NHL talent.
Up front, Switzerland will feature New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier, the team's captain, alongside his Devils teammate, power forward Timo Mayer. The Winnipeg Jets' Nino Niederreiter, a veteran of international play, will also be in the lineup.
The 2026 tournament represents a major opportunity for Switzerland to compete for a medal in front of its passionate home fans. The addition of Moser, who had a breakout season with a strong plus/minus rating, adds depth and a right-handed shot to their blue line.
With the NHL season over for several key players, the Swiss federation is moving quickly to secure commitments from its top professionals abroad. The confirmation of Moser, alongside the previously announced Josi, Hischier, Mayer, and Niederreiter, signals a serious intent to build a competitive squad for the May event.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.