OHL Peterborough Petes

Team Switzerland Names Brian Zanetti to Men's Under-18 Roster

Published on April 21, 2021 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Peterborough Petes News Release


(Peterborough, ON) - Team Switzerland has announced that Petes defenceman Brian Zanetti is named to Switzerland's National Men's Under-18 roster. Zanetti and Team Switzerland arrived in Frisco, Texas on Monday for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup preliminary round, scheduled April 26-May 1.

"I'm very happy to be part of the U18 Swiss team that will participate in the World Championship in Dallas," stated Zanetti. "This will be a great experience facing the best players in the world at the same age. It is also a great opportunity to play in front of NHL general managers and scouts ahead of the draft, so there is no shortage of motivation to play my best."

During the 2020-21 season, the 6'2", 172 lbs defenceman, ranked second amongst blueliners on the HC Lugano U20 Elit roster, tallying a career-high 29 points (nine goals, 20 assists) in 41 contests. Last season, Zanetti collected 27 points (eight goals and 19 assists) in 38 games with Lugano.

"This is a very exciting time for Brian after being the last cut from the World Junior team," said General Manager Michael Oke. "He gets to play at an elite level against top U18 athletes from around the world in this tournament. We look forward to watching him play and having him in the Petes lineup this fall."

The 2003-born d-man was selected by the Petes in the first round, 35th overall at the 2020 CHL Import Draft and committed to the maroon and white on July 15, 2020. He received a 'C' rating on NHL Central Scouting Player's to Watch List on January 23, suggesting that he could be a possible fourth to sixth round pick in this year's NHL Entry Draft.

On the international stage, Zanetti has represented Switzerland at the U16 International Junior Games in 2019, registering nine points in 19 games. Additionally, he was a member of the 2019 and 2020 Swiss roster at the U17 International Junior Games, amassing seven assists in 11 games. Last year, he collected a goal and six assists in eight games with the U18 team.

Zanetti is the first Pete to represent Team Switzerland at the U18 tournament since forward Lino Martschini in 2009-10.

Zanetti joins Mason McTavish as the second player on the Petes roster to represent their respective country after McTavish was named to Team Canada U18 roster on April 1. The two players will face off against each other on Friday, April 30, time TBD.

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