C Théo Rochette - Quebec Remparts, QMJHL (Undrafted)

[bukwas]

Rochette was asked a few questions by his former team HC Lausanne. Here's an out-take:


L’équipe de Suisse U18?
« J’espère que l’on va obtenir de bons résultats durant cette Coupe du monde à Edmonton. D’un point de vue personnel, j’espère avoir un rôle assez important à jouer au sein de l’équipe. L’objectif est de réussir à bien progresser, et d’obtenir de bons résultats.
J’ai encore le choix entre la sélection canadienne ou suisse pour le futur. J’avais la possibilité d’aller au camp d’entraînement du Team Canada cet été ou de l’équipe suisse, mais je pense qu’il n’y a pas vraiment de question à se poser. J’ai commencé avec la Suisse, je suis suisse, je suis né ici, donc je pense que je vais rester ici. Je vais très probablement jouer pour la Suisse. »

A summary about the bolded part in english:
he's got the options to go to U-18 summer camps of both Canada or Switzerland. He hasn't made a final decision yet but is leaning more towards Switzerland as he was born and started his development over here. He feels being swiss.


Im slightly less concerned now, but considering this interview was made in Switzerland, it might would sound a bit different when made in Canada. If true though, we will see him at the Hlinka memorial this year.

Here's the full interview (in french):
Théo Rochette: "Je vais très probablement jouer pour la Suisse" - Lausanne Hockey Club

Hlinka-Gretzky Cup this year.
An unnecessary change IMO.

 

[FinPanda]

CAN Roster

He was named for the Canadian U17 roster for World U17 Challenge. Does this mean he will represent Canada and not Switzerland in the future?

 

[Dominance]

CAN Roster

He was named for the Canadian U17 roster for World U17 Challenge. Does this mean he will represent Canada and not Switzerland in the future?

I believe it may, and that is incredible news given that he has played for Switzerland in the past and all signs pointed to him pursuing that path. Although EP has him as Swiss/Canadian nationality, I’m not exactly sure how or why he can play for us, given that this is his first season playing hockey here.

Edit: I see that HC has him as having been born in Quebec, which is odd considering that EP has him as having been born in Switzerland.

 

[VictorLustig]

CAN Roster

He was named for the Canadian U17 roster for World U17 Challenge. Does this mean he will represent Canada and not Switzerland in the future?

He's an interesting case. Playing for Canada at the WU17 won't hurt his chances of playing for Switzerland in the future. The U18 WC is the real dealbreaker, that's when he has to make his decision (he could later switch but that would be complicated). Technically he won't be able to play for Canada at the U18 WC next year because he hasn't played 2 full years of organized hockey in Canada (as far as I'm aware). The IIHF do however make exceptions, see William Nylander.

 

[Dominance]

He's an interesting case. Playing for Canada at the WU17 won't hurt his chances of playing for Switzerland in the future. The U18 WC is the real dealbreaker, that's when he has to make his decision (he could later switch but that would be complicated). Technically he won't be able to play for Canada at the U18 WC next year because he hasn't played 2 full years of organized hockey in Canada (as far as I'm aware). The IIHF do however make exceptions, see William Nylander.

You seem more familiar with his situation. Do you think it likely that he would hold on to play for Canada internationally? I do think he’s a top-flight prospect who would have a good chance to crack our WJC roster in his D+1 season, and he may be wanting that increased likelihood of winning, but ours is a difficult men’s roster to crack. And this is assuming that he has no great patriotic feelings for Switzerland.

 

[VictorLustig]

You seem more familiar with his situation. Do you think it likely that he would hold on to play for Canada internationally? I do think he’s a top-flight prospect who would have a good chance to crack our WJC roster in his D+1 season, and he may be wanting that increased likelihood of winning, but ours is a difficult men’s roster to crack. And this is assuming that he has no great patriotic feelings for Switzerland.

I don't know much about him at all actually, I was just referring to the IIHF rules. The country he suits up for at the U18 WC will "own his rights" so to speak. I'm guessing the Swiss will invite him this spring so we will get the answer after that.

 

[JiggsNY]

I hope in the end he stays with Switzerland. It’s fun to root for countries like SUI and they’ve had a ton of momentum with higher and higher level prospects. They could use him.

 

[swissexpert]

Doubt he's good enough to ever represent Canada in a best-on-best tourney so there's hope he sees that selection just as a fun experience.

 

[Thebesthockey]

would not make the team canada squad
good choice

 

[FinPanda]

Coming to Canada

So Canada it is long term, it seems like.

 

[Speyer]

I would be lying if I said that I wasn‘t a little bit bitter about this choice if it turns out to be final. Rochette will never be good enough for a Canadian Olympics or WCoH roster and isn‘t even a game changer for their world junior team. For a country like Switzerland however he could be a key controbutor who allows the country to reach the semi finals at the WJC once again or win a medal at the World Championships. So now he has occupied a spot on the swiss junior national teams for years that should have been awarded to another player. I dont blame the kid though. Everybody who has seen or read an interview with his dad once, knows who instigated the country change...

 

[Killerjas]

Coming to Canada

So Canada it is long term, it seems like.

He already is in Canada, he plays for Chicoutimi in the QMJHL.

 

[FinPanda]

He already is in Canada, he plays for Chicoutimi in the QMJHL.

Did you read the article? That is not what I meant. I meant that it looks like he will play for Canada and not Switzerland long-term.

 

[Killerjas]

Did you read the article? That is not what I meant. I meant that it looks like he will play for Canada and not Switzerland long-term.

Yes I did read the article, but only later. That title is just vague.

 

[duga]

I wouldn't read too much into the hockeycanada article. He gotta please both sides with words, until he makes his final decision.


When the Swiss lure him with a spot for the u20s in 2 months, which they are pretty much forced to do now, and he declines...then we'll probably have our Hockey-Rakitic.

That said, I wonder if the SIHF tried to get him on the u-18 team last year and he declined, or if they just weren't aware what were the risks.

 

[JiggsNY]

eh, thats a bit disappointing, Switzerland has been gaining so much momentum over the past several years, he could have continued that

who knows maybe Switzerland can make an aggressive offer to get him for the U20, like duga said

 

[Tryamkin]

A U20 offer could make him stay, I think it would be nice for Swiss hockey. He's looking quite nice. Right at 14 on my recent list.

 

[JLT]

He looks pretty good to me this year in the Q.

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

I like him, he’s quick and has good hands. He also sees the ice well, I think he could be a first rounder next year.

 

[Tryamkin]

Rochette has scored four goals in the first two playoff games with Chicoutimi against Rimouski. Unfortunately the team has lost both games. He’s been very good.

 

[Nexon]

Is there any progress in his case? Assuming he didn’t play in u20 this year, he is really trying to play for Canada right?

 

[Plastic Joseph]

Traded to the Remparts

 

[SergeConstantin74]

Traded to the Remparts

Malatesta-Rochette should make a dynamic duo for the next 2-3 years.

 

[S E P H]

So it seems like he will play for Canada? That sucks, would've been a much more important piece for Suisse.

 

[Dominance]

Malatesta-Rochette should make a dynamic duo for the next 2-3 years.

Exciting for both of them. A little easier to watch the Remparts, too, so exciting for us fans as well.