World Junior 2015 Preview: Switzerland’s prepared for medal run with Mueller, Fiala

GROUP B: Switzerland
2014 finish: Seventh place
2014 round-robin record: 1-1-0-2, 11 GF/17 GA

Yahoo! Canada Sports has asked North American-based players, some of whom are playing in the world junior championship, to break down their national teams.

The odds of Switzerland grabbing a medal at the world juniors went up significantly on Dec. 19 when San Jose Sharks management announced they would loan Mirco Mueller, a 2013 first-round pick, for the tournament.

“Mueller was a great player on the team last year,” says returning defender Yannick Rathgeb, who at the time of the interview was describing what Switzerland would miss from Mueller. “He plays a lot of minutes against other team’s top players and is a very skilled defenceman.”

In addition to Mueller, Switzerland has four more returning players: OHL blueliners Phil Baltisberger and Rathgeb, speedy wing Jason Fuchs and Nashville Predators first-rounder Kevin Fiala.

Despite losing 11 forwards from their 2014 squad, including Toronto Maple Leafs pick Fabrice Herzog, Switzerland’s offense will be their strength. Fiala and Halifax Mooseheads wing Timo Meier will lead the charge as a solid 1-2 punch.

“Fiala will be a big player for us this year,” says Rathgeb, who plays for the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers. “He was already our best forward last year and now he’s a first-round pick. He has great hands and vision. We also have Time Meier, who plays for the Mooseheads. He is a really good draft prospect and has a lot of offensive skill.”

Past the dynamic duo, Switzerland has a nice blend of offensive talent including Fuchs, Sharks prospect Noah Rod, Guelph Storm wing Pius Suter and Sherbrooke Phoenix forwards Tim Wieser and Kay Schweri. They will give the team a stronger top-nine than they had last year.

“Offensive depth is very important and we should have that,” says Rathgeb. “We have some younger forwards and players in the CHL that will give us a lot of offense that’s not just on our first line.”

With last year’s starter, Melvin Nyffeler, graduating it’s still up in the air on who will take over the No. 1 role in between the pipes. Gauthier Descloux seems to have the inside edge based on his experience in other international tournaments, though.

“Gauthier Descloux has played in some International tournaments and has played well,” says Rathgeb. “He’s just 18, but he played in the summer at the U20 tournament. I don’t know if he will be our No. 1 goalie, but he played well for us and is a talented goalie.”

The combination of Switzerland’s offensive talent and Mueller on the back end will give them a shot at medaling for the first time since when they won bronze in 1998.

“A medal is a high goal for Switzerland, but we think we can do well this year because we have some high scorers in our offense,” says the veteran defender. “Our offense is a big strength and it should help us a lot this year, but we also need our defence to play well for us and make good plays.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mirco Mueller (D, San Jose Sharks – NHL)

The towering 6-foot-3, 205-pound Mueller is returning for his third world junior tourney. He anchored Switzerland’s back end last year with his top-notch mobility, hockey sense and poise. He took up residence in San Jose this year as a 19-year-old instead of returning to the WHL’s Everett Silvertips for a third season partially because of a solid training camp. He has suited up in anywhere from 12 to 24 minutes a night throughout his 24 contests with the Sharks, netting a goal and three points along the way.

Kevin Fiala (F, HV71 Jonkoping – SWE)

The Predators chose Fiala 11^th overall in last year’s draft because of his incredible puck-control, soft hands and shiftiness. His immense skill overshadows his smaller 5-foot-10, 187-pound stature because he uses his elusiveness to dodge checks and come out of tight areas with the puck. He’s put his skill on display in the Swedish Hockey League this year by notching five goals and 14 points in 20 games with HV71. He’s expected to be Switzerland’s best forward as he’s their only first-round pick up front and was their top scorer last year.

Timo Meier (F, Halifax Mooseheads – QMJHL)

Meier, whom NHL Central Scouting Service pegs as an A-list prospect, could be a first-round selection in June. The 6-foot-1, 209-pound forward already has 21 goals and 46 points in 33 games with the Mooseheads this year following notching 34 points last year. His evolved play is believed to be partially because he’s more physical and is a half-a-step faster this year. If Fiala is Switzerland’s offensive Batman, that makes Meier Robin.

Tim Wieser (F, Sherbrooke Phoenix – QMJHL)

Wieser, 19, has blossomed into a superstar in his second season with the Phoenix. He has been lighting up goalies left and right with 30 goals and 44 points in 32 contests. The skilled 5-foot-7, 161-pounder will garner a lot of attention as an overage forward leading up to the 2015 draft if he continues to score as he has.

MUST WIN GAME: Czech Republic (Dec. 27)

Switzerland needs to have a strong start to have a shot at a medal. Winning their first game of the tourney against the Czech Republic would be huge for the team’s confidence. It is a do-able task as the clubs matchup closely in terms of talent and it seems Switzerland will have the edge in energy because it’s the second game of a back-to-back for the Czech Republic.

“Getting that first win would be huge because it would give us some momentum,” says Rathgeb. “We know we can beat the Czech Republic, but we also know they can beat us. We want to start off with a good effort and hopefully that will give us confidence for our other games.”

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen