Players

Getting to Know… Jonas Siegenthaler

(Caps Outsider)

Adding to the already multicultural melting pot that is the Capitals’ roster, Swiss born Jonas Siegenthaler was recalled from the Hershey Bears in early November 2018 and has played regularly since. Originally called on to cover the injuries to Brooks Orpik, John Carlson and Christian Djoos, Siegenthaler has registered eight points in 21 games with the Capitals to date.

A native of Zurich, Switzerland, who was born to a Thai mother and Swiss father, Siegenthaler began his road to professional hockey in 2008 as a member of the Mini B league team ZSC III U15. He moved his way up through the Junior Elite teams over the following seasons before debuting for the ZSC Lions of the National League A in 2013. The teams he represented in between 2008 and 2013 fell under the banner of the Zürcher Schlittschuh Club (German for “Zürich Skating Club”).

At an International level, Siegenthaler donned the red and white of Switzerland for five World Junior Championship tournaments in-between 2012 and 2017. In 2015 he was named to the IIHF World U18 Championship All Star Team and was the skater with the most ice time in the 2017 tournament.

Siegenthaler played a total of 115 games for the ZSC Lions and in 2015 was drafted at 57th overall and signed a three year, entry level contract with the Capitals. He would continue to develop at the ZSC Lions as a loan player until 2016 when he was assigned to the Capitals’ AHL affiliate in Hershey.

Siegenthaler played seven games for the Bears in the 2016-17 season and would also return to the ZSC Lions on loan, the same season, which saw a finals defeat. In 2017, Siegenthaler began to hit his stride, tallying 75 games for Hershey and recording 12 points throughout the season. After playing 14 games in Hershey to commence the 2018-19 season, he was recalled to the Capitals and made his debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 8th.

Filling the gap left by injured players, Siegenthaler has proven a reliable defenseman. With the inevitable return of Djoos to full health, Siegenthaler may see some more time in Hershey soon but it is a tremendous young talent for the Capitals to have on their roster and will prove to be a reliable inclusion in the future.

Related Articles

Back to top button