According to rumors from Switzerland, Jake Virtanen of Abbotsford has displeased his EHC Visp teammates and won’t be joining the squad for the next Swiss League playoffs.
According to a story from the Swiss newspaper Le Matin published on Tuesday (Feb. 7), Virtanen alienated his teammates and fought with Daniel Eigenmann on the bench during a game on Jan. 31.
Following the altercation, Eigenmann allegedly got in touch with EHC Visp management and threatened to have the rest of the team leave unless Virtanen was fired. The administration of EHC Visp later acknowledged to the newspaper that Virtanen is available for other teams to acquire. He did not suit up for the final two regular-season games for EHC Visp.
According to the Swiss daily Le Nouvelliste, Eigenmann believed that Virtanen was playing selfishly, which sparked their disagreement.
Brayden Burke and Chris Dodero are international players that EHC Visp has acquired for the postseason run. The Swiss League allows a maximum of five foreign players per team. Virtanen is supposedly available for any team in the league to sign him, although none have done so.
The News has contacted Kevin Epp, Virtanen’s agent, for more information, but he has not yet responded.
In 21 games, Virtanen scored 25 points (15 goals, 10 assists), accrued 44 penalty minutes, and committed 44 fouls. He finished sixth in points and third on the squad in goals.
