Swiss ice hockey club SC Bern is undergoing significant roster changes as it prepares for the upcoming season, parting ways with long-serving captain Ramon Untersander and forward Joël Vermin while welcoming two new international players to the squad. The moves come after a disappointing season that saw the team fail to advance past the Play-In round against Rapperswil-Jona Lakers, marking another year without a playoff series victory since 2019.
According to multiple Swiss sports outlets including Watson.ch and Nau.ch, SC Bern has confirmed the departure of defenseman Ramon Untersander, who served as team captain, along with forward Joël Vermin and Swedish defender Henrik Häman Aktell. All three players were under contract through the 2027-28 season, with Untersander’s deal running until 2028, making their early release a financially significant decision for the club. The departures are part of a broader organizational overhaul led by incoming general manager Jürg Fuhrer, who took over from longtime executive Marc Lüthi on May 1, 2026.
In response to the exits, SC Bern has signed two new foreign players to bolster its lineup: Canadian defenseman Ian Mitchell and American forward Sonny Milano. Mitchell, a right-shot defender known for his offensive upside and two-way play, most recently played for the Vancouver Canucks organization in the NHL, splitting time between the NHL and AHL during the 2025-26 season. Milano, a left-wing forward with NHL experience, spent the prior season with the Columbus Blue Jackets after being acquired from the Anaheim Ducks in 2023. Both players bring North American professional experience to the Swiss National League (NL), aiming to strengthen SC Bern’s defensive depth and offensive creativity.
The signings align with SC Bern’s strategy of blending veteran leadership with younger, skilled imports capable of adapting quickly to the European game. Mitchell, 26, has represented Canada at the World Junior Championships and brings mobility and puck-moving ability from his time in the AHL with the Abbotsford Canucks. Milano, 27, has shown scoring touch at the NHL level, recording 20+ goals in a full NHL season during his tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2021-22. Their arrivals signal a shift toward a more dynamic, transition-oriented style under the new management.
Off the ice, the club as well announced the departure of Sven Rindlisbacher, who had served as head of gastronomy for Sportgastro AG — the entity managing food and beverage operations at PostFinance Arena — for over 25 years. His exit marks the end of an era in the arena’s hospitality services, which have long been a staple of the matchday experience for fans. The simultaneous changes in both hockey and operations reflect a comprehensive reset across the organization following another season that fell short of expectations.
While the financial terms of the player departures and new signings have not been disclosed, industry analysts note that buying out multi-year contracts in the NL often involves substantial compensation, particularly for high earners like Untersander and Vermin, who were among the club’s top salaried athletes. The club has not issued a public timeline for when the new players will join the team for training camp, though preseason preparations typically begin in late August ahead of a September league start.
As SC Bern reshapes its roster and leadership structure, the focus now turns to how quickly the new additions can integrate into the team’s system and contribute to a return to playoff success. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely during the preseason to assess the impact of Mitchell and Milano on the blue line and in the top six forwards.
For ongoing updates on SC Bern’s roster moves, training camp developments and preseason preparations, followers can refer to the club’s official website and verified communications from the Swiss National League.
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