Swiss defender Severin Blindenbacher, a mainstay on the Eisgenossen blueline for over a decade, today announced his retirement from the ZSC Lions at age 38.

Debuting with Kloten’s junior system, Blindenbacher debuted for the National League A squad in 2000, spending five seasons with the Flyers. A Zürich native, Blindenbacher joined his hometown ZSC Lions in 2005, where he would spend fourteen of his last sixteen pro seasons, capturing three NLA Championships (2008, 2012, 2014), a Swiss Cup in 2016 and a Champions League title in 2009. A ninth round pick of the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2001 NHL Draft, Blindenbacher tried his hand in the Dallas junior system in 2010-11, and spent the previous season with Färjestad of the Swedish Elite League. Over his nineteen years spread across the NLA, Blindenbacher amassed 72 goals and 267 points in 687 games, along with 39 points in 144 playoff games.

Debuting at the 2000 Under-18 Championships, and winning a Silver medal in 2001, Blindenbacher competed at three consecutive World Juniors from 2001-03. That same year, Blindenbacher would make his World Championship debut, the first of eight (2003, 2005-09, 2012-13), which would see him medal just once, in his final tournament, as part of Switzerland’s historic run to a Silver medal in Stockholm. He would also be part of three Olympic squads in 2006, 2010 and 2014, making his final national team appearance in the 2015-16 season.

Blindenbacher would win the IHLC four times in his career, the first coming at the 2002 World Juniors, and final at the start of Switzerland’s cinderella run at the 2013 World Championships. We wish Severin and his family the very best for his retirement and the things to come!

Photo Credit: RTS – IIHF – HHOF – IOC