DE 
Initially, it looked like Tommaso De Luca might choose to play for Switzerland as he played a few friendly games with the Swiss junior squads in the last two years and was even ready to suit up for the Swiss U20 squad in the upcoming World Juniors. His Swiss passport, however, was not requested on time.
With the World Juniors off the table, De Luca has now chosen to play for Italy, his birth country: "I think he understands that the history of the Swiss passport could still be delayed and that the competition in Switzerland is also greater than in Italy," Italian national team manager Stefan Zisser tells sportnews.bz (relayed by "Blick").
De Luca is in the first season of his professional career after one year in the WHL with the Spokane Chiefs. After 24 games with HC Ambrì-Piotta, he scored four goals and collected seven assists, the most by any U20 player in the National League this season.
(G, 27)
HC Lugano
