Stars sign defenseman Lian Bichsel to a three-year entry-level contract

FRISCO, Texas-- Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has signed defenseman Lian Bichsel to a three-year entry-level contract. The contract will begin in the 2023-24 season.

Bichsel, 18, recorded six points (1-5--6) in 42 games with Leksands of the Swedish Hockey League in the 2022-23 regular season and added a goal (1-0--1) in three playoff games. He also skated for Leksands' junior club, where he posted three points (1-2--3) in eight regular-season contests and added one assist (0-1--1) in five postseason games.

The Olten, Switzerland native represented his country at the 2023 World Junior Championship where he registered two points (0-2--2) in five games. He also ranked second on Team Switzerland and 12th overall in the tournament in TOI/GP (22:56).

Selected by Dallas in the first round (18th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-5, 215-pound defenseman has earned nine points (2-7--9) in 71 career games with Leksands (2021-23). Bichsel became just the second Swiss-born defenseman to be drafted in the first round, following Mirco Mueller (also 18th overall, San Jose) in 2013.