Players' agent André Rufener told Klaus Zaugg (Watson) at the beginning of April that he has asked the New York Islanders whether they would consider to let his client join the national team for the World Championships.
While the New York Islanders have moved on to the second round of the playoffs, Rathgeb is not high enough on their depth chart to actually get a chance to play for them this season. He spent the entire year with their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Bridgeport, too, just started their playoff run. They are facing the Hershey Bears in Round 1. The series is currently tied 1-1. However, Rathgeb had already been reassigned to the Swiss national team on April 17. That was before the series had even started.
Another player will also join the national team: Leonardo Genoni. According to Marcel Kuchta (Aargauer Zeitung), the goaltender wants to participate in the World Championship.
( 21 April 2019 | mso )
