Lian Bichsel

Swiss ice hockey player (born 2004)

Ice hockey player

Lian Bichsel
Bichsel with Switzerland in 2020
Born	(2004-05-18) 18 May 2004 (age 19) Olten, Switzerland
Height	6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight	216 lb (98 kg; 15 st 6 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Left
NHL team (P) Cur. team Former teams	Dallas Stars Rögle BK (SHL) EHC Biel Leksands IF
NHL Draft	18th overall, 2022 Dallas Stars
Playing career	2021–present

Lian Bichsel (born 18 May 2004) is a Swiss professional ice hockey defenceman for Rögle BK in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) as a prospect on loan from 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]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

			Regular season					Playoffs
Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2020–21	EHC Biel	U20-Elit	45	5	23	28	48	2	0	0	0	0
2020–21	EHC Biel	NL	4	0	0	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Leksands IF	J20	11	3	4	7	6	1	0	0	0	2
2021–22	Leksands IF	SHL	29	1	2	3	16	—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Leksands IF	J20	8	1	2	3	4	—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Leksands IF	SHL	42	1	5	6	47	3	1	0	1	4
2023–24	Texas Stars	AHL	16	1	6	7	34	—	—	—	—	—
SHL totals			71	2	7	9	63	3	1	0	1	4

International

Year	Team	Event	Result	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2021	Switzerland	U18	8th	5	1	1	2	6
2021	Switzerland	HG18	8th	4	0	1	1	0
2023	Switzerland	WJC	7th	5	0	2	2	2
Junior totals				14	1	4	5	8

References

^ "Juniorlagen fylls på" (in Swedish). Leksands IF. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
^ "Lian Bichsel skriver rookiekontrakt" (in Swedish). Leksands IF. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
^ "Stars select Lian Bichsel with 18th overall pick in 2022 draft". Dallas Stars. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
^ "Stars select Lian Bichsel 18th overall in 2022 NHL Draft". The Dallas Morning News. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
^ "Around the Stars Universe Vol. 1". defendingbigd.com. 17 October 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
^ "Stars sign defenseman Lian Bichsel to a three-year entry-level contract". NHL.com. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
^ "Lian Bichsel to Rögle" (in Swedish). Rögle BK. 29 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.