Sven Baertschi Steps Up as Associate Coach for Portland Winterhawks

Sven Baertschi, once a prominent figure in the Vancouver Canucks’ top-six, is embarking on a new chapter in his hockey career. After retiring from professional play following the 2022–23 season, Baertschi has transitioned into coaching, and this week, he received a significant promotion within the Portland Winterhawks organization.

Baertschi has been an assistant coach with the Winterhawks since the 2024–25 season, but he has now been elevated to the role of associate coach for the 2026–27 season. This marks a significant step in his coaching journey, one that is deeply rooted in his history with the WHL team, where he played junior hockey for two seasons from 2010 to 2012.

During his time as a player with the Winterhawks, Baertschi showcased his scoring prowess, racking up an impressive 85 points in 66 games during his rookie season. He followed that with a remarkable 94 points in just 47 games in his second season, along with a noteworthy 34-point performance in the postseason.

After being drafted 13th overall by the Calgary Flames in 2011, Baertschi spent four seasons in their organization before being traded to the Canucks for a second-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. That pick eventually turned into Rasmus Andersson, now a defenseman with the Vegas Golden Knights. Throughout his tenure with the Canucks, Baertschi had a career-high 35 points in the 2016–17 season, but injuries in the latter part of his career led to his departure from Vancouver. He spent one season with the Golden Knights before returning to Switzerland to conclude his playing days.

As Baertschi steps into his new role, he joins a Winterhawks roster that includes notable players like defencemen Avery Laliberte and Stevie Grumley, along with goaltender Ondrej Stebetak. His experience and familiarity with the organization could prove invaluable as he helps shape the next generation of talent.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.