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With the exit of EHC Biel, a great career also came to an end: Beat Forster hangs up his skates at the age of 41.
Legend: Beat Forster after his last game in the National League. srf
It doesn’t matter that a major mistake by Beat Forster on Friday almost led to an early 0-2. The fact that the Eastern Swiss player was still named the best player on his team after EHC Biel lost 4-0 to the ZSC Lions – recognition for a great career. It’s understandable that the 41-year-old defender shed a few tears during the fans’ emotional farewell.
On Biel’s way to the playoffs, Forster showed his qualities again and extended the Zealanders’ season. In particular, his blast against Geneva in the play-in was a feast for the eyes. Energetic advances into the offensive zone underlined his desire to achieve great things again.
Almost 1200 games
After the fourth defeat in the playoff quarter-finals against the ZSC Lions, one thing is certain: Forster’s career has come to an end after 1,171 games in just over 23 professional years. He will remain with the Seeland club in a different role next season.
With its mix of performance, ambition and down-to-earthness, “Fösche” has played its way into the hearts of fans. The opponents, on the other hand, feared his hard checks, which sometimes resulted in injuries.
6 times champion and trouble in Zurich
Forster celebrated his greatest successes with HC Davos, where he made his debut in the top league in January 2001. There were 5 championship titles with “Blue-Yellow”, another with the ZSC Lions (2008), where his sudden departure in the middle of the 2008/09 season caused trouble. Irony of fate: Zurich, of all places, finally ended his career.
Last year, Forster almost won its 7th title when Biel only lost to Geneva in the 7th game of the playoff final. In 2011 he won the Spengler Cup with the HCD and was elected to the tournament’s all-star team.
Victory over Canada at the Olympics
In the noughties, Forster was also one of the pillars of the national team. He played 109 times in a national team uniform and recorded 32 scorer points (17 goals). In addition to 6 World Cup finals, the 2006 Olympics was a highlight: he was part of the team that defeated Canada and the Czech Republic, which were full of NHL stars.