Lian Bichsel Explained

Lian Bichsel
Birth Date:18 May 2004
Birth Place:Olten, Switzerland
Height Ft:6
Height In:5
Weight Lbs:216
Shoots:Left
League:NHL
Team:Dallas Stars
Prospect League:AHL
Former Teams:EHC Biel
Leksands IF
Rögle BK
Draft:18th overall
Draft Year:2022
Draft Team:Dallas Stars
Career Start:2021

Lian Bichsel (born 18 May 2004) is a Swiss professional ice hockey defenceman for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Bichsel was drafted in the first round, 18th overall, by the Stars in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Bichsel originally played as a youth in his native Switzerland with hometown club EHC Olten's junior ranks. Moving to EHC Biel from the under-15 level, Bichsel showed promising development for his size within his three seasons within the club.

Bichsel made his professional senior debut in the Swiss National League with EHC Biel during the 2020–21 season, featuring in four games.

In order to continue his upward trajectory, Bichsel moved from Switzerland to the more competitive Swedish J20 Nationell, by agreeing to a contract with the junior club of Leksands IF on 24 May 2021.[1] In the following 2021–22 season, Bichsel was soon elevated to make his Swedish Hockey League (SHL) debut and was later rewarded with a two-year rookie contract through 2023 with Leksands on 21 January 2022.[2] He finished his first season in the league in posting one goal and three points through 29 games.

On 7 July 2022, Bichsel's impressive season was acknowledged by his selection by the Dallas Stars in the first-round, 18th overall, of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.[3] [4] Returning to Sweden for his final season under contract with Leksands in the 2022–23 season, Bichsel continued his development, featuring primarily in a third-pairing role on the blueline alongside veteran Jonas Ahnelöv.[5]

On 6 May 2023, the Stars signed Bichsel to a three-year, entry-level contract.[6] After attending the Stars 2023 training camp, Bichsel was assigned to begin the 2023–24 season in the AHL with affiliate, the Texas Stars. Bichsel contributed with 1 goal and 7 points from the blueline through 16 games before he left North America and returned to Sweden on loan by the Stars, joining Rögle BK of the SHL for the remainder of the season on 29 November 2023.[7]

Personal life

Bichsel’s brother Joel, plays professional football for the BSC Young Boys of the Swiss Super League.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGP PIMGP G A Pts PIM
2020–21EHC BielU20-Elit45 5 23 28 482 0 0 0 0
2020–21EHC BielNL4 0 0 0 0
2021–22Leksands IFJ2011 3 4 7 61 0 0 0 2
2021–22Leksands IFSHL29 1 2 3 16
2022–23Leksands IFJ208 1 2 3 4
2022–23Leksands IFSHL42 1 5 6 473 1 0 1 4
2023–24Texas StarsAHL16 1 6 7 345 0 1 1 4
2023–24Rögle BKSHL29 2 2 4 2815 1 5 6 8
SHL totals100 4 9 13 9118 2 5 7 12

International

YearTeamEventResultGP G A Pts PIM
2021SwitzerlandU188th5 1 1 2 6
2021SwitzerlandHG188th4 0 1 1 0
2023SwitzerlandWJC7th5 0 2 2 2
Junior totals14 1 4 5 8

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Juniorlagen fylls på . . 24 May 2021 . 18 February 2023 . Swedish.
  2. Web site: Lian Bichsel skriver rookiekontrakt . . 21 January 2022 . 18 February 2023 . Swedish.
  3. Web site: Stars select Lian Bichsel with 18th overall pick in 2022 draft . . 7 July 2022 . 18 February 2023.
  4. Web site: Stars select Lian Bichsel 18th overall in 2022 NHL Draft . . 7 July 2022 . 18 February 2023.
  5. Web site: Around the Stars Universe Vol. 1 . defendingbigd.com . 17 October 2022 . 18 February 2023.
  6. Web site: Stars sign defenseman Lian Bichsel to a three-year entry-level contract . NHL.com . 7 May 2023 . 6 May 2023.
  7. Web site: Lian Bichsel to Rögle . . 29 November 2023 . 29 November 2023 . Swedish .