Josi meets the previous president of Switzerland forward of the International Collection

Man Parmelin, a member of the Swiss Federal Council who served as president of Switzerland in 2021, visited the defender forward of the Nashville Predators coaching on Sunday.

The Predators will face SC Bern, Josi’s former Nationwide League group, in an exhibition at PostFinance Enviornment on Monday (2 p.m. ET; BSSO, NHLN) within the 2022 NHL International Collection Problem.

“It is one thing particular for Switzerland,” Parmelin instructed NHL.com.

Josi gave Parmelin one among his Nashville jerseys.

Parmelin, a grasp winemaker by commerce, introduced Josi with two bottles of Swiss wine, one crimson and one white. With a smile, he mentioned that the captain of the Predators will have the ability to profit from it “as quickly as they’ve gained the Stanley Cup”.

“It is positively an ideal honor,” mentioned Josi. “…It was very particular to fulfill him and discuss to him a bit right this moment. It definitely means so much to us to have the help of a Swiss president. »

Switzerland doesn’t elect a president like the USA does. It has a Federal Council of seven members elected by the United Federal Meeting. Each December, parliament elects the president of the council for a one-year time period. The president is taken into account the primary amongst equals.

Parmelin served as Vice President in 2020 and President in 2021. On June 16, 2021, he hosted a summit between Presidents Joe Biden of the USA and Vladimir Putin of Russia.

He’s a hockey fan. On Might 20, 2018, he awarded Switzerland the silver medal on the 2018 IIHF World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark. Josi and Predators in entrance Nino Niederreiter he performed for Switzerland in a 3–2 loss to Sweden within the last. (Two present members of the Predators have performed for Sweden: striker Philippe Forsberg and protection Matthias Ekholm)

“He was very proud,” Parmelin mentioned. “For the Swiss, the younger individuals, it is actually an honor to have individuals who play ice hockey within the NHL and I personally comply with them repeatedly. Each morning I’m [logging on at] 06 hours. I see NHL Highlights, what are they doing? It’s actually very fascinating for me. »

Parmelin has headed the Division of Economics, Training and Analysis since 2019. He mentioned he couldn’t come to the sport on Monday as he will probably be in India on a three-day financial mission.

However he was as soon as head of the Federal Division of Defence, Civil Safety and Sports activities. He mentioned he hopes the Predators’ go to, from a youth clinic on Sunday to Monday’s sport, will assist encourage Swiss youth.

Josi has essentially the most assists (402) and factors (542) within the NHL amongst Swiss-born gamers, and gained the Norris Trophy because the NHL’s high defenseman in 2019-20. Niederreiter has essentially the most NHL objectives (181) amongst Swiss-born gamers.

“I feel for Bern, for the individuals, for the gamers who’re within the Bern group, that is an instance,” Parmelin mentioned. ” You see? It is potential to go to the NHL, to win, to win the Norris Trophy, to be among the finest defensemen within the NHL.

“It is actually particular, and I hope it would encourage younger individuals to play ice hockey, and possibly in a single, two, 5 years it could be potential for Switzerland to win the championship of the world sooner or later. »