Former Rocket Lias Andersson Heading to Switzerland

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Former Laval Rocket forward heading to Switzerland after spending one season with Montreal Canadiens organization.

Switzerland’s EHC Biel-Bienne announced on Wednesday a two-year deal with forward Lias Andersson.

“Lias Andersson is a versatile forward, who with his qualities and versatility will be able to enrich our offensive game. He is capable of making a difference from several different offensive positions, but he also knows how to deliver the goods defensively. Lias is ready for his next sporting experience in our country and he will prepare himself perfectly in order to be decisive in our future successes,” general manager Martin Steinegger said via statement.

The 25-year-old signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Canadiens organization for the 2023-24 season and spent the entire season with the Laval Rocket. He missed five weeks of action with a lower body injury that occurred in mid-November.

Jean-Francois Houle used him in a top-six role throughout the year and an important role on the power play. Andersson had a streaky season where he collected with 45 points in 53 games.

He started his tenure in Laval with seven points in nine contests, before hitting a pointless four-game drought prior to his injury. The lack of production continued for another four games when he returned to the lineup.

Andersson was selected seventh overall in the 2020 NHL entry draft by the New York Rangers with Jeff Gorton as the general manager. He spent three seasons in the organization when Gorton traded him to the Los Angeles Kings for a second round pick.

The Sweden native signed two consecutive one-year deals with the Kings before the team decided not to tender a qualifying offer, that allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent.

Despite being drafted as a centre, Andersson played on the wing the entire year with the Rocket.

“I signed [in Montreal] to get better as a player and have a chance to play in the NHL,” Andersson explained during the end of season media interviews.

Prior to joining the Canadiens, he had 66 NHL games with the Rangers and 44 games with the Kings under his belt. “My mindset doesn’t change. I want to play in the NHL. I still believe I can do that.”