Team Switzerland Goaltender Andrea Brändli is Carving Her Own Path
Heading into her third Olympics, Andrea Brändli is enjoying the journey and doing it her way.
Every sport has its icons. Whether that’s based on an individual’s longevity, their achievements, their talent, or some intangible mix of factors, certain players carve their name into history and change the game forever. Following in the footsteps of such players presents its own unique set of complications, but Team Switzerland goaltender Andrea Brändli relishes the challenge as she heads into her third Olympics.
Brändli took over goaltending duties for Switzerland following Florence Schelling’s retirement in 2018. Schelling, one of the game's all-time greats, spent 15 years on the international stage and put together an astonishing run of ice time: according to the IIHF, she played every single minute of Switzerland's 28 games from April 5, 2013, to February 17, 2018. For those keeping track at home, that's four years, 10 months, and 12 days of total domination.
For Brändli, it was the perfect learning opportunity. "Being able to share the ice with her, learn from her, and push myself to reach her level motivated me every single day," she told The Ice Garden. "I always saw her as a mentor, someone I could look up to and learn from, and I knew she was there whenever I had questions or needed guidance. Her support and experience continue to guide me, and I’m extremely grateful for the influence she’s had on my career. My goal has never been to replace Florence, but to add my own footprints in the snow alongside hers."
Indeed, Brändli's hockey journey shares some major parallels with Schelling's. Both began playing in their native country before moving to the United States for college, and both joined Sweden's SDHL, where they've both won Goaltender of the Year awards. Brändli made her Swedish debut with MoDo Hockey in 2023; she spent two years in Örnsköldsvik before moving to Frölunda on a two-year contract in 2025. She currently leads the SDHL in save percentage with .944 in 20 games, and is tied with Brynäs's Ena Nystrøm for second in league shutouts with four.
"The numbers [in Sweden] speak for themselves," said Boston Fleet forward Alina Müller, Brändli's Switzerland teammate. "They're unreal."
Müller continued, "When Florence Schelling was in net and [Brändli] had to be the backup, she was still with us all the time... then when it was her time, she stepped right up. Since then, she has been the backbone of our team and gives us a chance to stay in the tournament every time, and gives us a chance to win every game."
Brändli, 28, has been surrounded by sport her entire life. “My mom played basketball and my dad played handball, both at a high level,” she told The Ice Garden. “My brother is a former professional hockey player, and my grandfather was, and still is, a passionate cyclist who somehow remains in better shape than I will probably ever be!”
Following in her family's footsteps led her to hockey at just three years old. Brändli says she was drawn to goaltending due to the position's unique demands, citing "the combination of pressure, importance, and excitement" as attractions. Starting sport so young made hockey an integral part of who she is, and that passion helped her make a big decision: to move across the globe after the 2018 Olympics and continue her growth in the NCAA.
"Moving to a new country on a different continent was a big step, but it felt like the perfect opportunity for personal growth, both on and off the ice," Brändli said. "That balance of elite hockey, education, and life experience is what ultimately made the NCAA so appealing to me."
Brändli spent four years with Ohio State University, where she won two WHCA Championships and one NCAA title. She finished her tenure as a Buckeye with 57-25-7 record, a .927 save percentage, and a bachelor's in psychology. After graduation in 2022, she transferred to Boston University as a graduate student.
Like many of the NCAA's best from around the world, Brändli committed herself to the delicate balancing act of athletics, academics, and national team commitments. Every year she played college hockey, she was also part of every Swiss contingent at Worlds, and her consistency across the game earned her a place on Switzerland's 2022 Olympic roster. Both Schelling and her 2018 backup Janine Alder had retired in the years since Pyeongchang, leaving Brändli as the veteran in net.
When asked if she felt pressure coming into the role following Schelling's retirement, Brändi said, "Yes and no. I think I put more pressure on myself than anyone else does when it comes to living up to her legacy. At the same time, from the moment I was told I would be the number one goalie, I promised myself that I would create my own legacy."
The 2022 Olympics in Beijing proved to be a lesson in staying present and embracing the full picture. "I think one of the keys to my success at the 2022 Olympics was learning to take pressure off myself, both from external expectations and my own," said Brändli. "I focused on truly enjoying every moment, on and off the ice, and that mindset made a huge difference for me...enjoying the moment you’ve worked your entire life for is almost as important as the result itself."
That mindset helped her guide Switzerland back to medal contention. After winning bronze in 2014 at Sochi, the team finished fifth in 2018 and came into Beijing hungry to reach the podium once again. Despite a bumpy preliminary round in Group A, the team defeated the Russian Olympic Committee 4-2 in the quarterfinals and earned their place in the bronze medal game.
On the surface, Switzerland's 0-4 loss to Finland in the bronze medal game might look less than stellar, but a closer look at the numbers tells a much different story. Brändli rose to the occasion and did everything that was asked of her, stopping 43 out of 47 shots. Four years later heading into Milano Cortina, she looks at that game as a growing moment for Team Switzerland.
"Having played a medal game at the 2022 Olympics is something you can’t replicate," she said. "That experience will definitely help calm nerves and build confidence heading into the 2026 Games...we’ve grown into a team that can truly compete at the highest level, and I believe we’re now a serious contender for an Olympic medal."
Emma Sullivan
Nothing is ever guaranteed in life or in sport. One moment can mean the difference between devastation or a dream come true, a truth goaltenders know all too well. Andrea Brändli stands on the shoulders of giants, and looking ahead to her future, she aims to pay it forward and be that stepping stone for others.
"I hope to be respected both on and off the ice for the way I treat people and for the values I stand for," she said. "I also want to be a role model that young hockey players can look up to, and leave the game in a better place for the next generation. If I can do that, I think that would mean more to me than any individual achievement."
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