Former Canuck is back in hockey: New challenge awaits

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Cooper Godin
August 15, 2024 (10:10)

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Former Vancouver Canucks forward Sven Bartschi has landed a coaching job in the Western Hockey League.

Less than a year after officially announcing his retirement from professional hockey, former Vancouver Canucks forward Sven Bartschi is back in the game after landing a coaching gig.

In a social media post on Wednesday night, the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League announced that they've hired Sven Bartschi as an assistant coach for the 2024-25 season.

"The Portland Winterhawks are excited to announce the hiring of assistant coaches Mike Fanelli and Sven Bärtschi as well as goaltending coach Travis Hoy. Both Fanelli and Bärtschi will join recently-named head coach Kyle Gustafson on the Portland bench for the 2024-25 season." The team said in a press release on their website.

Bartschi was originally drafted by the Calgary Flames in the first round in 2011 and then went on to spend parts of six seasons with the Vancouver Canucks after they acquired him in March 2015.

The 31-year-old finished his professional career in his hometown of Switzerland, suiting up for SC Bern. He appeared in 36 games for them during the 2022-23 season before he decided to hang up his skates in August last year.

Being behind the bench for the Portland Winterhawks will be a bit of a full-circle moment for Sven Bartschi. Before beginning his professional career, he spent two seasons with the Winterhawks, helping them reach the WHL Final in back-to-back years while playing a big role offensively.

Bartschi's first game behind the bench with Portland will be a pre-season tilt against the Spokane Chiefs on Saturday, September 7th.