‘A huge honour’

Nino Niederreiter has ample experience leading the Swiss national hockey program. But on Friday, the Winnipeg Jets winger will be leading an entire nation on the world’s largest stage.

Niederreiter was unveiled as one of the flag bearers for Switzerland on Thursday, which is an incredible honour for the 33-year-old forward who is set to participate in his second Olympic games.

Niederreiter, who also played for Switzerland’s men’s hockey team in 2014, will be joined as a flag bearer by ski cross veteran and two-time Olympic bronze medallist Fanny Smith.

Following Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens (and before the official announcement had been made), Niederreiter shared his enthusiasm about what was on the horizon.

“Super excited about it,” said Niederreiter. “Obviously, it’s a huge honour having a chance to play for your country, and obviously we have a good team and looking forward to playing a good tournament.”

Niederreiter has represented Switzerland in six men’s world championships — serving as co-captain in 2023 and alternate twice (2018, 2024) — and two world junior championships (captaining the team in 2011). He also suited up for Team Europe at the World Cup of Hockey in 2016.

“He’s an awesome guy and a great leader. He creates a great atmosphere in the locker room,” Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman and Niederreiter’s fellow Milan Cortina Games teammate JJ Moser said last week when the Jets were in Florida for a road trip. “He’s demanding and hard working, the exact teammate that you would want to have by your side if you are trying to create something memorable.

“He’s a hard guy to play against and he never gives his opponents any room to breathe or any time off. He’s always on you. He has a good sense of where to go and being in the right place at the right time to be open, to get a pass or to get the rebounds or the tips. He can put pucks in (the net) and do what matters.”

Niederreiter, who has 1,024 NHL games on his resumé, is a six-time 20-goal scorer (including playoffs) and his willingness to go to the blue paint should serve him well during the Olympics.

“His consistency is very impressive,” said Moser. “He’s been doing that for a decade, consistently at a high level. He’s got great experience and that’s very important to have on a team to show the way. To calm guys down when you need to and to hype guys up if they need that.”

Switzerland is in Group A and opens up the men’s tournament against France on Feb. 12 (5:10 a.m. CT). Their remaining round-robin games are Feb. 13 (2:10 p.m. CT) against Canada and Feb. 15 (5:10 a.m. CT) against Czechia.

They enter the event as an underdog, though the national program has improved steadily since Niederreiter first competed at the world championship in 2010 as a teenager.

“I think the biggest thing is probably the commitment of going each and every year,” said Niederreiter.

“Every single NHL player wants to go play in the world’s, as soon as they’re out (of Stanley Cup playoff contention). I think that’s something players in Switzerland see, the commitment from us, not just going for vacation when the season is over. (We) go back and play for our country, and I think that’s something which we take a lot of pride in.”

The Swiss team has another connection to Manitoba as their head coach is Patrick Fischer, who was an exchange student in 1991 and played one season of high school hockey with the Carman Cougars.

Fischer returned to Switzerland in 1992 and eventually had a solid professional career, playing mostly in his home country, but he also appeared in 27 NHL games with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2006-07, recording four goals and 10 points.

Fischer also represented Switzerland at the 2006 Turin Olympics.

Niederreiter, who has eight goals and 19 points in 55 games so far this season, is one of four Jets competing in these Olympics, with defenceman Josh Morrissey representing Canada and goalie Connor Hellebuyck and winger Kyle Connor representing the United States.

Hellebuyck, the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner, remains a strong candidate to open the tournament as the starting goalie for Team USA after his strong performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off, though Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger and Boston Bruins netminder Jeremy Swayman could also see action.

Connor went into Thursday’s action — the last night before the official league-wide Olympic break — 13th in NHL scoring with 25 goals and 64 points and he’s highly motivated to make an impact for the United States this time around.

“Can’t wait for the experience,” said Connor. “It’s going to be some great hockey. We’ve got a little revenge to us as a team, going back to the 4 Nations (Face-Off) and I know it’s not just us against Canada. There’s a lot of other teams in this tournament as well.

“The anticipation is there and the eagerness, and it’s been a building process since 4 Nations. Being American, I’m extremely, extremely proud and obviously very gracious to be able to wear that sweater. It means a lot to me. And there’s a rich history of U.S. hockey players before me that have gone through it and it’s a great honour.”

Rounding out the Jets’ Olympic contingent, Morrissey — who has 10 goals and 42 points in 56 games this season — joins Winnipegger Mark Stone and Elkhorn product Travis Sanheim on Team Canada.

With the loss to the Canadiens on Wednesday, the Jets dropped to 22-26-8 on the season, leaving the club 11 points behind the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Once the Jets return to action, they’ll brace for a stretch that includes 26 games in 51 days, a proverbial sprint to the finish line.

“Obviously, it’s been a roller-coaster year so far,” said Niederreiter. “There are times where we played good hockey and there are times where we didn’t play as well as we wanted to. It’s definitely a good break for everyone, mentally, and we know what’s at stake coming back.”

The Jets are back in action on Feb. 25 when they open a three-game West Coast road trip against the Vancouver Canucks.

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