Sven Andrighetto

Lore & Background

Andrighetto began his junior career in Switzerland with the GCK Lions of the National League B before being selected 11th overall by the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the 2011 QMJHL Import Draft. He moved to Canada for the 2011–12 season and recorded 74 points in his first year, followed by 98 points in 2012–13 to finish sixth in QMJHL scoring. The Montreal Canadiens signed him to a three-year entry-level contract in July 2013. He made his NHL debut on 6 December 2014, scoring a goal in a 4–1 loss to the Dallas Stars, and became the first Canadien since Pierre Mondou in 1978 to register a point in each of his first three games.

Traded to the Colorado Avalanche on 1 March 2017 in exchange for Andreas Martinsen, Andrighetto became the first Swiss skater to appear for the franchise. Playing on a line with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, he led the Avalanche in scoring through March 2017 and finished with 16 points in 19 games. He signed a two-year, $2.8 million contract extension in June 2017. After a leg injury cost him 28 games in the 2017–18 season, he returned to help the Avalanche reach the playoffs for the first time in four years, scoring his first playoff goal in a 2–1 road victory in Game 5 against the Nashville Predators. In 2018–19, he dealt with another leg injury and was used as a reserve forward in the playoffs. He was not tendered a qualifying offer on 25 June 2019, ending his tenure with Colorado.

Andrighetto then signed a two-year contract with Avangard Omsk of the KHL in July 2019, contributing 13 goals and 27 points in 56 games. He mutually terminated his contract one year later and returned to Switzerland on a five-year deal with the ZSC Lions in July 2020. He represented Switzerland at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, winning a silver medal.

Reader's Guide

Sven Andrighetto's NHL career is defined by his time with the Colorado Avalanche, where he briefly flourished after being traded from Montreal. Despite his small size, he demonstrated scoring ability in the QMJHL and AHL, but injuries and inconsistent roles limited his impact in the NHL. His most productive stretch came in the final 19 games of the 2016–17 season with the Avalanche, where he recorded 16 points while playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. That performance earned him a two-year contract extension and protection in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. However, recurring leg injuries in the following seasons prevented him from building on that success, and he was not retained by Colorado after the 2018–19 season. He subsequently moved to the KHL and then returned to Switzerland, where he continues his professional career with the ZSC Lions. His international career includes a silver medal at the 2024 IIHF World Championship.

Did You Know?

• He became the first Swiss skater to appear for the Colorado Avalanche when he debuted on 5 March 2017.
• He scored his first NHL goal in his debut game for the Montreal Canadiens on 6 December 2014.
• Andrighetto won a silver medal with Switzerland at the 2024 IIHF World Championship.