Kitchener G Christian Kirsch named to Switzerland’s preliminary roster for the World Junior Championships

Switzerland has released it’s preliminary roster for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, and included on the roster is Kitchener Rangers import goaltender Christian Kirsch, the sole Ontario Hockey League representative to represent the nation this December and January. He’ll be one of four CHL players to represent Switzerland.

Kirsch, the Rangers’ first-round pick (44th overall) in the most recent CHL Import Draft, has been stellar in his first season in the OHL, posting a .900 SV% and 2.54 GAA across 18 outings, 11 of which have been wins. The San Jose Sharks 2024 fourth-round selection (116 overall), has four years of experience with the Swiss National Team, having played at the U16, U17, U18, and U20 levels already, dating back to 2021-22.

The Swiss have reached the quarterfinals in the previous four editions of the tournament while their best ever result was a bronze medal in 1998.

Switzerland are in Group B alongside Canada, Sweden, Slovakia and Germany. The 2026 World Juniors takes place Dec. 26 – Jan. 5 in St. Paul and Minneapolis, MN.