Prospect Profile: Sven Baertschi

Drafted 13th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames, Sven Baertschi hopes to stay put in the NHL instead of being bounced back and forth from Abbotsford and Calgary.

Seven AHLers were called up late in the season and Sven was one of them being promoted from the Heat. In 20 games with the Flames, he recorded 10 goals (3g, 7a) while registering only 6 PIMs. Baertschi suited up in 32 games for Abbotsford in the 12-13 season and was fifth in scoring with 10 goals and 16 assists.

The Swiss-native raised eyebrows after an impressive rookie campaign recording 85 points in 66 games for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. The ‘Hawks clinched the first seed for the 2011 WHL Playoffs and made it to the Championship, but fell to the suddenly hot Kootenay Ice. The following season Baerstchi only suited up for 47 games but scored 9 more points than the previous season, which convinced Jay Feaster and the Calgary Flames that he is ready for the big show. In 5 NHL games he recorded there points, all of which were goals. After a ten day stint, players previously injured were returning and there was no more room for Baertschi. His tenure in the NHL was over for that season as he was sent back to juniors.

Baertschi’s three-year entry-level contract he signed in 2012 expires at the conclusion of the 2014-15 season.

With the rebuilding progress in full-swing in Cowtown, Baertschi should spend the whole season in the NHL.