Damien Riat

Damien Riat (born 26 February 1997) is a Swiss professional ice hockey player who is a winger for Lausanne HC of the National League (NL). He is also currently serving as their captain. Riat was drafted 117th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2016 NHL entry draft.

Playing career Riat spent the 2014–15 season with Malmö Redhawks junior teams. At the end of the season, he joined his hometown team, Genève-Servette HC on a three-year deal.

Riat made his professional debut with Genève-Servette HC in the 2015–16 season, appearing in 45 National League games this season and putting up 21 points (9 goals). He went on to play three more seasons with Geneva, playing 139 regular season games (59 points) and 13 playoffs games (4 points).

Riat (left) and Belfast Giants captain confer with the referee during a Champions Hockey League game in 2025.

On 3 February 2018, Riat agreed to a two-year contract with EHC Biel beginning from the 2018–19 season.

On 5 March 2020, Riat was signed to a two-year entry-level contract by the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). On 4 August 2020, the Washington Capitals agreed to return Riat on loan to former club Genève-Servette HC for the beginning of the 2020–21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic delaying the North American season. On 11 January 2021, Riat was suspended for 7 games and fined CHF 6,000 for a hit from behind that sent HC Lugano's Elia Riva head first into the boards on 8 January 2021. Riva left the ice on his skates and was brought to the hospital on a stretcher. On 27 January 2021, with one game remaining on his suspension, Riat was reassigned to the Hershey Bears of the AHL for the start of the shortened season.

On 12 August 2021, Riat joined Lausanne HC for the 2021–22 season, on loan from the Washington Capitals. In 35 regular season games with Lausanne, Riat collected 11 goals and 28 points. Following a first-round defeat in the post-season, Riat was signed to a two-year contract extension to remain with Lausanne on 22 April 2022.

International play

Riat was named to Switzerland's under-20 team for the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championships in Helsinki, Finland. He played 6 games with the team, putting up 2 goals and 2 assists. Riat also made the team for the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championships in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He appeared in 5 games and scored 1 goal and 5 assists.

Riat made his IIHF World Championship debut in 2018 and won silver with Switzerland. He made the trip to Bratislava, Slovakia for the 2019 IIHF World Championship with team Switzerland and was a healthy scratch for the first two games before being sent back home to make room for Sven Andrighetto.

Riat was a part of the Swiss team for the 2025 IIHF World Championship and won Silver.

Personal life Riat is the older brother of HC Sierre's player, Arnaud Riat.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2012–13 Notre Dame Argos SMHL 36 4 9 13 58 3 0 0 0 2 2013–14 Notre Dame Argos SMHL 44 18 38 56 56 12 5 7 12 28 2014–15 Malmö Redhawks J20 40 7 7 14 70 — — — — — 2014–15 Malmö Redhawks Allsv 3 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2015–16 Genève-Servette HC Elite Jr. A 4 3 5 8 10 — — — — — 2015–16 Genève-Servette HC NLA 45 9 12 21 34 4 1 2 3 10 2016–17 Genève-Servette HC NLA 46 7 7 14 36 4 0 0 0 4 2017–18 Genève-Servette HC NL 48 12 12 24 30 5 0 1 1 2 2018–19 EHC Biel NL 48 11 14 25 38 12 3 1 4 0 2019–20 EHC Biel NL 36 11 11 22 57 — — — — — 2020–21 Genève-Servette HC NL 20 7 11 18 29 — — — — — 2020–21 Hershey Bears AHL 33 3 6 9 12 — — — — — 2021–22 Lausanne HC NL 35 11 17 28 12 8 1 1 2 2 2022–23 Lausanne HC NL 52 9 16 25 24 — — — — — 2023–24 Lausanne HC NL 50 18 19 37 20 19 6 5 11 8 2024–25 Lausanne HC NL 52 17 20 37 24 19 7 8 15 12 NL totals 432 112 139 251 304 71 18 18 36 38

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2013 Switzerland IH18 6th 4 1 0 1 2 2014 Switzerland U18 7th 5 1 1 2 0 2014 Switzerland IH18 7th 4 1 2 3 25 2015 Switzerland U18 4th 7 3 2 5 4 2016 Switzerland WJC 9th 6 2 2 4 8 2017 Switzerland WJC 7th 5 1 5 6 8 2018 Switzerland WC 6 0 0 0 0 2022 Switzerland WC 5th 5 1 0 1 2 2023 Switzerland WC 5th 5 1 3 4 0 2025 Switzerland WC 10 6 1 7 2 2026 Switzerland OG 5th 5 2 1 3 4 2026 Switzerland WC 10 5 3 8 10 Junior totals 31 9 12 21 47 Senior totals 41 15 8 23 18