Siegenthaler and Riat know Hischier well from having played with him at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship. Geisser was one of the final cuts from the Swiss world junior team.
Switzerland surprised some by winning two of its four games in group play before pushing the United States, the eventual gold medalists, in a 3-2 loss in the quarterfinals. Siegenthaler (one goal, five assists) and Riat (one goal, five assists) each had six points in the tournament to tie for second on the Swiss team behind Hischier, who had seven points (four goals, three assists).
"Swiss hockey grows every year," Siegenthaler said. "We've put more money in our junior programs to get better and have [held] a lot of tournaments. I think in a few years there's going to be a decent amount of Swiss players in North America. There have been more the last two or three years in North America, but I think it's going to get bigger."
Siegenthaler plans to be among the Swiss players playing in North America next season. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Zurich native was slated to begin this season with the Capitals' American Hockey League affiliate in Hershey before a family issue led him to return to Switzerland, with the Capitals' blessing, after training camp.
In 28 regular-season games with Zurich SC, Siegenthaler had seven points (one goal, six assists). He also played in six playoff games with Zurich SC (no points) before finishing the AHL season with Hershey, playing in 12 total games, including the playoffs (no points).
"I just wasn't comfortable to stay here with the family issue I had back home, so I decided to go back for one more year," Siegenthaler said. "Now I'm focused on North America and I'm just going to try my best and hopefully make the team."
With Karl Alzner and Kevin Shattenkirk expected to leave as unrestricted free agents and Nate Schmidt being claimed by the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL Expansion Draft, the Capitals have multiple openings on their defense.
Siegenthaler hopes to be part of the training camp competition, but is down the Capitals defensive depth chart behind Madison Bowey, Christian Djoos and Tyler Lewington, who each have at least two seasons of AHL experience, and 2016 first-round pick (No. 28) Lucas Johansen.
"I think it's going to be a hard battle in the main camp for every [defenseman] and the guy who works harder and shows he's more willing will make the team," Siegenthaler said. "It's going to be hard, but it's going to be a fun time, too."