Valentin Nussbaumer (19) is back “at home”. Good news for HC Biel, which thanks to the arrival of the international M20, is expanding its offensive sector. The Delémontain’s premature return to Switzerland is a little surprise, since he was expected by the Shawinigan Catarcates, his club in the Quebec junior major league, where he has played since the 2018-2019 season. But after his successful U20 Worlds with Switzerland in the Czech Republic, Nussbaumer chose not to return to Canada, preferring to find HC Bienne, with whom he had made his debut in the elite during the 2017-2018 season (26 matches , 5 goals). The Jurassian spoke with lematin.ch on the sidelines of the meeting between HC Biel and Zug Friday evening.
Here you are back at HC Biel. When did you decide not to return to Canada to play with the Shawinigan Catarcates?
I made my decision during the U20 World Championships in the Czech Republic. When I got back to Switzerland, I told my agents about it. In the end, even if I have been feeling nervous for the past week, I am happy to be back in Biel.
Why did you choose Switzerland and adult hockey, rather than Canada and junior hockey?
For my development. I grew up a lot during my time in Canada but I have always been in contact with my agents and HC Bienne, who wanted me to go back and play for them. After the Junior Worlds, I really found myself as a hockey player. I was happy with my performances. I had had difficult times in Canada.
You had asked to be exchanged by Shawinigan, otherwise you would not return to Canada, is that right?
No, these were just rumors. I never asked to be traded. My management took care of all the details between the clubs, I only concentrated on hockey.
You were drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in June 2019. What do the leaders of the NHL franchise think of your return to Switzerland?
They supported me in my choice and had already placed me in HC Biel anyway for next season. They want to help me develop, and playing now against adults in a pro league is definitely a step in the right direction. In any case, I don’t have the feeling that they were disappointed by my desire to return to Switzerland, on the contrary, I feel that the Coyotes are behind me.
At HC Bienne, you will find your line teammate in the U20 national team, Gilian Kohler…
I trained for the first time with Bienne this morning (note: Friday) and with Gilian, we are sitting next to each other in the locker room! It’s clear, it’s nice to find him here and I hope to be able to play with him too at HC Biel. I don’t know yet what my role will be in the team because I haven’t really had the opportunity to speak with the coach, Antti Törmänen yet. I hope to be able to play as quickly as possible as soon as the administrative procedures are settled. I just want to try to help the team as best I can and I’m ready to take on any role.
Cyrill Pasche, Biel
Created: 10.01.2020, 11:07 p.m.
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