"After nine years in the NHL, I am pleased to return to Switzerland and again playing for Swiss club," says Hiller. "It is a new challenge and the pressure and expectations are high that I am aware of, but at the same time I am convinced that this is the right step. The EHC Biel is a young team with a lot of potential - I hope to bring through my many years of experience the team further and to be able to act as a role model and leader figure ".
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Fans are quick to point to his massive decline in play this season, but what's done is done. I'm sure that with his career earnings and age, he's more than happy to enjoy the fruits of his labour with friends and family. Plus, if he regains any of his previous form, he will probably enjoy a decent level of success without the pressure/shaming from fans and media.
Onward and upwards; more room for someone fresh to get this team where (as far as I'm concerned) they belong. Let's test drive a potential long term solution or two. Third isn't the charm in this case
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Wow, 3 years is probably the biggest surprise about this. Good for him.
Thought the same, but didn't bother trying to translate the article.. What's a ballpark salary for this league, and are the contracts guaranteed?
If nothing else I'm sure a good chunk of that will be recouped in jersey sales alone.. Might be right out to lunch, but I always assume ex-impact NHL'ers still draw a crowd/get the red carpet treatment initially, as long as they aren't -too- far removed from their glory days.
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Thought the same, but didn't bother trying to translate the article.. What's a ballpark salary for this league, and are the contracts guaranteed?
You're probably looking at 500k to 1m per year for a good player ... and keep in mind that the tax laws in Switzerland are pretty nice. So from a financial standpoint it makes a lot of sense ... contracts are not guaranteed IIRC, but Hiller's a big name and Biel needs that. Pretty close to his hometown too, so it's a win-win for everybody involved.
Good luck to him.
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Good for him. Hiller had a good 1st season with the flames. The 2nd year was not so good. I have never seen a goalie drop so dramatically in performance in that short of a span time.
Best of luck. His play at the start of his first year with Flames was instrumental in team making the playoffs. Think we forget how well he started the season, then tailed off to average.
I can forgive his bad play this year but it does appear he mailed it in after the halfway point or so. That is rather disappointing.
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Good for him. As has been said he had a decent career for a non-drafted player. This season was a disaster for him but his poor play was probably the difference between a 10-12 pick and a top 7 pick for the Flames so everything worked out for the best.
Location: Close enough to make a beer run during a TV timeout
Exp:
A question of logistics- did the Flames officially release him? I know he is a UFA this summer, and the Flames were not going to sign him. Just seems this announcement might technically be premature.
A question of logistics- did the Flames officially release him? I know he is a UFA this summer, and the Flames were not going to sign him. Just seems this announcement might technically be premature.
During the exit interviews, I believe that Treliving told Hiller that the Flames wouldn't be bringing him back. I'm not sure if that answers your question because I'm not sure if that equates to the Flames officially releasing him
Hiller signs with Swiss club
