BERN, Switzerland — The kids lined up at center ice in the middle of a youth clinic the Nashville Predators held after practice at PostFinance Arena on Sunday.
One by one, they got the chance to go one-on-one against the Predators defenseman Roman Jose.
Can you imagine?
Josi has more assists (402) and points (542) in the NHL than anyone born in Switzerland, and he won the 2020 Norris Trophy voted as best defenseman.
And once he was a kid like them.
He grew up within walking distance of the rink, played his youth and junior hockey in Bern, and played for SC Bern in the National League before coming to North America.
“I’ve played here my whole life,” Josi said. “My whole childhood was in this stadium.”
This is why the Predators will play SC Bern in an exhibition here Monday (2 pm ET; BSSO, NHLN) as part of the 2022 NHL Global Series Challenge, before opening the regular season with back-to-back games against the San Jose Sharks. in Prague on Friday and Saturday as part of the 2022 NHL Global Series.
Yes, it’s special for Josi. But it’s a reward for fans who follow the NHL from afar. It’s an inspiration for the next generation.
“When I grew up, the Internet wasn’t there, and the NHL seemed so far away,” said SC Bern forward Joel Vermin, who grew up in Bern, once watched Josi play for SC Bern in this arena and played 24 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2015-17. “But I mean, nowadays, it’s not so far away.
“It’s definitely inspiring and also motivating for them to see what it’s like if you’re in the NHL, to keep on working hard every day to reach that goal.”
The first time Josi saw an NHL team in person was in 2008, when he played for SC Bern in an 8-1 exhibition loss to the New York Rangers at PostFinance Arena.
Predators forward Nino Niederreiterwho has scored more NHL goals (181) than any Switzerland-born player, said he never saw an NHL team with his own eyes until his first training camp with the New York Islanders in 2010.
“For me personally, I wish I could have been in this position [like the kids here now],” Niederreiter said. “It’s something very special.”
The New Jersey Devils played an exhibition against SC Bern on Oct. 1, 2018, winning 3-2 in overtime before a crowd of 17,031.
The main attraction then was Devils forward Nico Hischier, who played three seasons in Bern, including 15 games for the top club in 2015-16, before becoming the first Switzerland-born No. 1 pick when he was selected in the 2017 NHL Draft.
The fans shouted his last name during introductions.
“The welcome for him was unbelievable,” said Predators coach John Hynes, then coach of the Devils. “I can only imagine what it’s going to be like for ‘Jos.'”
No. 1, this event was delayed two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No. 2, Josi is the favorite son.
“He’s the guy from Bern,” Vermin said. “The town is pretty proud of him, and I think it’s going to be awesome for him to come here and see all these people cheering for him. I’m sure for him it’s going to be a special, special game tomorrow.”
Video: Roman Josi talks about the Bern Kids Clinic
SC Bern captain Simon Moser expects the crowd will be loud.
Moser grew up near Bern and has played for SC Bern since 2014-15, after one season in North America with the Predators organization. He played six games for Nashville and 48 for Milwaukee of the American Hockey League in 2013-14.
“From all over Switzerland, they want to watch Josi and Nino play here,” Moser said. “I think it’s huge. We played Jersey here a couple years ago, and you could see it. It was our building, but they were here because of them. It’s going to be the same tomorrow.
“And I think for the kids, it’s the biggest. If I had the chance to watch it when I was young, that would be a dream. It’s amazing.”
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