Former Calgary Flames goalie Jonas Hiller is leaving the NHL for Switzerland, after signing a three-year deal with ECH Biel Bie of the National League A, reports Sportsnet.
The 34-year-old is no stranger to Switzerland, as the Swiss native played six seasons in the Swiss league before joining the Anaheim Ducks in 2007-2008. Hiller put together a solid NHL career with the Ducks and Flames, appearing in 404 career games, posting 197 wins, 140 losses, a 2.55 GAA and a .915 save percentage. He was named an All-Star with the Ducks in 2010-11. Hiller won’t be remembered as a great goalie, but he did manage to have a long, solid NHL career.
Hiller’s 2015-16 season was a disaster. He appeared in 26 games with the club and posted awful numbers across the board with nine wins, 11 losses, a 3.51 GAA and an ugly .879 save percentage. His .895 even strength save percentage ranked 67th out of 69 qualified goalies who played at least 400 minutes, ranking only above Curtis McElhinney and Alex Stalock. The Flames had goaltending problems all season, and Hiller was a big part of that. He did battle a lower-body injury throughout the season, so perhaps he wasn’t ever fully healthy. Unfortunately, Hiller never found hit footing and was lit up routinely.
Hiller was an unrestricted free agent following the conclusion of the season. It’s doubtful there would have been a ton of suitors for his services after his awful year. Getting a three-year deal and returning home sounds like a great compromise for a now-finished NHL career.
