According to Grégory Beaud (Sport-Center, published on Le Matin), Santeri Alatalo had already been invited to the Swiss national team get-together back in summer, but as it did not take place, nobody realized that he had been on the list.
"We are grateful that Santeri Alatalo now has a Swiss passport and can play for Switzerland," head coach Patrick Fischer said. "For the Swiss team, this gives us even more options."
The 30-year-old defenseman has been playing in Switzerland since 2013. He did not count against the import-player contingent as he played junior hockey in Switzerland. Alatalo is currently in his last contracted year with EV Zug.