The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies selected him in the first round, 11th overall, of the 2011 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Import Draft from the GCK Lions of the Swiss National League B (NLB), Switzerland's second-tier professional league. In the 2010–11 season while playing for the Lions, he was selected to represent Switzerland at the 2011 World Junior tournament. Playing 36 games for GCK, he recorded 23 points (11 goals and 12 assists) and 20 penalty minutes. Loaned to eventual NLB champion EHC Visp, he was scoreless in two regular-season games, adding one goal and two assists and 12 penalty minutes in 17 playoff games.