In a significant milestone for his international career, Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman JJ Moser has been named an alternate captain for Team Switzerland at the 2026 IIHF World Championships. This marks the first time the 26-year-old blueliner has earned a leadership role with the senior Swiss National Team.

Moser is no stranger to wearing a letter on his jersey. He previously served as an alternate captain for Switzerland's U20 squad during the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, showcasing his leadership potential early on. Now, with 43 senior national team appearances under his belt—scoring four goals and 16 points—he's ready to lead on the biggest stage.

The honor comes on the heels of a standout season for the Lightning. During the 2025-26 campaign, Moser posted career-best numbers: seven goals, 29 points, and 69 penalty minutes in 79 games. Perhaps most impressively, he finished with a stellar +41 plus-minus rating, underscoring his reliability as a two-way defenseman.

Moser also brings valuable international experience from last year's tournament. As a key member of Switzerland's 2025 IIHF World Championship squad, he helped the team capture a silver medal—his first career medal at an international competition. That taste of success has clearly fueled his drive heading into this year's event.

Switzerland kicked off their tournament campaign on Friday with a statement win over the United States. Moser made an immediate impact, picking up the secondary assist on Pius Suter's goal just two minutes into the game. For fans of the Lightning and Swiss hockey alike, it's a promising start for a player who continues to elevate his game on both sides of the puck.