Flying change of coach at the ZSC Lions. The ZSC Lions part with immediate effect from their head coach Rikard Grönborg and the two assistants Peter Popovic and Johan Andersson. The new head coach will be Marc Crawford, assisted by Rob Cookson. The two Canadians will receive a contract for two and a half years up to and including the 2024/25 season.
The ZSC Lions write today in their media release: Rikard Grönborg joined the ZSC Lions organization three and a half years ago. With the Zurichers, the Swede won the Regular Season 2019/20, before the season had to be canceled due to the Covid situation. In 2020/21, Grönborg advanced to the Cup Final and the playoff semifinals with the Zett. This was followed by a runner-up finish last season. With a view to next season, Rikard Grönborg has signed with another club.
Sports director Sven Leuenberger: "In order to give the team new impetus, we have decided on an early change of coach. Instead of waiting until next season, Marc Crawford will take over immediately. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rikard Grönborg and his two assistants for the work they have done! I wish the trio all the best for their future."
Marc Crawford has already been head coach of the ZSC Lions once. After NHL coaching stints in Colorado (Stanley Cup winner), Vancouver, Los Angeles and Dallas, the Canadian moved to Zurich in the summer of 2012, where he worked for four seasons. With the Lions, Crawford won the Swiss championship title in 2014 and was Cup winner in 2016. After that, the now 61-year-old returned to the NHL - three years each as assistant coach of the Ottawa Senators and the Chicago Blackhawks. In Ottawa, Crawford was promoted to interim head coach in the interim. He coached the Canadian national team once as head coach at the Olympic Games and once as an assistant at the World Championship.
Sporting Director Sven Leuenberger explains why Marc Crawford fits perfectly into the ZSC coaching profile: "Marc brings with him a huge amount of experience that our team needs. He knows Switzerland and the ZSC Lions very well and is "up to date" thanks to his recent coaching activities. The successes speak for Marc, but there is no NHL exit clause. He is the best possible solution for us."
Marc Crawford and Rob Cookson are a well-rehearsed team and a successful coaching duo. With the coaching change, the ZSC Lions would like to continue the successful years of the two at the ZSC Lions during the years 2012/13 to 2015/16. I wonder what the duo can achieve?
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