Corona will be with us for a long time, whether we like it or not. Especially field hockey will suffer, if the season can be played to the end at all.
from Urs Berger
Around the world, ice hockey championships are starting under special circumstances. The Covid-19 virus is still present and will characterize this and possibly also the 2021/2022 season. With much fewer spectators, no guest fans and also with certain restrictions on catering options. All this will have an impact on the clubs. Whether the virus will kill off one or the other club remains to be seen and cannot be ruled out. Playing again without spectators would probably break the neck of all involved. The federal aid is just a drop in the bucket.
No relegation, no favorite and transitional season
But let's move on to the sporting aspect of the championships. Are there any favorites for the Swiss championship title? Is there an outsider who will write a Cynderella history? Which team has signed the better foreigners and what effect will the various coaching changes have on the board? The starting position is exciting, confusing and partly chaotic.
Exciting, because no favorite can be identified. EV Zug, ZSC Lions and, to a lesser extent, SC Bern, HC Davos and Lausanne HC can be counted among this group. With the newly introduced pre-play-offs, another element of attractiveness and excitement is returning to the league. EHC Biel-Bienne, SCL Tigers, HC Lugano and HC Ambrì-Piotta will probably fight for these. As outsiders for one of these coveted spots, the SCRJ Lakers are romping around.
The situation is unclear because various teams have interrupted their preparations for the new season on the ice. How far the state of form of the individual teams actually is and how it will develop is open. It would not be surprising if at the beginning of the season the championship would be very balanced.
The season can get chaotic if a canton decides to cancel or postpone a championship game. How would the league decide in this case? Would it consider the possibility of also interrupting the championship for the other teams? Especially looking ahead to the last rounds of the championship, scenarios should already be prepared to avoid or prevent such cancellations.
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Ambrì with routine and upheaval
The Leventines continue to rebuild the squad. After the departures of Fabio Hofer (EHC Biel), Nik Plastino (HC Bolzano), Daniel Manzato (Servette) and Igor Jelovac (Lakers), younger players were brought in from their own junior squad. Karim Del Ponte, Filippo Franzoni and Davide Gaeta will be introduced to the higher level in the first team. Whether they will play the whole season with Ambrì, however, is open.
The addition of Simon Marha is interesting. The son of Josef Marha (Davos) brings back memories of his father. The latter was a formative figure in the Davos team for many years and was decisive in winning championships on several occasions. His son is expected to play in a top league for the first time. Last season he finished with 16 points in 22 games in Sweden in the J18 Elit with Lidingö Wikings.
On the foreigner position Juöllius Nättinen from Finland joins the team from JYP in Leventina. The 23-year-old Finn can pay off for Ambrì. He sets offensive accents, but does not forget the defensive work. He proved this with his 55 points and a +19 balance in the last season with JYP.
After the departure of Daniel Manzato, Damiano Giacco joins the Leventina from the SCL Tigers. There he will meet Benjamin Conz, who has often shown fluctuations in performance in recent years. Here could develop a high-level duel for the new number one. Precisely because he was not the undisputed number one with the Emmentalers, Ciacco moves to Leventina, which in turn should spur Conz on.
Still champion Bern with new coach, sports director and old wines
Only thanks to the termination of the season, the Bernese can still call themselves champions. However, this is the only positive of the past season. The disaster for SC Bern started already in the so important early phase of the championship until the end of October. The newly signed Niklas Schlegel was in no way able to replace Leonardo Genoni. Too often he was let down by his teammates or blundered in important situations. After his departure and the signing of Tomi Karhunen, a little stability returned in goal. However, this was not enough in the end.
In addition, Kari Jalonen was not questioned by Marc Lüthi for too long. A clear cut away from the competent and professional coach to a younger one might have saved the season.
With Florence Schelling as head of sports and Don Nachbaur as the new coach, the sporting management has been replaced. The two will provide the necessary weight in the sporting area and know how to assert themselves against CEO Marc Lüthi. It is also interesting that Mark Streit and Roman Josi have invested in their youth club. This could indicate that Lüthi is preparing to leave SC Bern. After all, the CEO is now in his 22nd season at the helm of the city of Bern club.
The poor performance also had some impact on the squad. The majority of the players will stay, but on the foreigner positions no stone is left unturned. The established players Andrew Ebbet (retirement?), Mark Arcobello (Lugano) and Jan Mursak (Frölunda) left. New come the Swede Ted Brithén (Rögle) and Dustin Jeffrey (Lausanne HC). Thus, the Bernese could sign at least one more foreigner. Due to the late start of the season in the NHL, John Tavares could become a topic, who was already engaged in Bern during the last lock-out.
With the former Zug players Miro Zryd and Thomas Thiry, the defense is rejuvenated. In addition, Thierry Bader (Davos), Jan Neuenschwander (Biel) and Kyen Sopa (Erie Otters) will join the forward line. In goal, Philip Wüthrich (Langenthal) will replace Pascal Caminade (to Langenthal). Whether these changes will be enough to lead SC Bern back to the top of Swiss ice hockey may be questioned. The (still) champions will rather use this season as a transition into a new era.
Biel's most important battle takes place off the ice
Once again, EHC Biel showed a spirited and excellent season. The club's stability became its greatest strength On and off the ice, the team from Zeeland acted in a level-headed and calm manner. Above all, sporting director Martin Steinegger leads the sporting department calmly and unagitatedly. He deserves a large share of the success so far.
With Antti Törmänen as coach, the Biel team has a very good trainer at the helm. In the last three years, he led the club to the play-offs, two of them to the semi-finals. For him, the players go through the fire. They will continue to do so in the coming season. In August, EHC Biel announced that Antti Törmänen would not be coaching this year. The Finn was diagnosed with cancer and the healing process will prevent him from being in Biel. Törmänen was replaced by his friend Lars Leuenberger. Actually, Leuenberger would have had a job as an assistant coach in Bern. But since he was passed over (again) in the selection of the new coach, he signed with EHC Biel for the new season. However, Törmänen will keep the leadership of the team and Leuenberger will act in the sense of the Finn. This already worked out in Bern when Törmänen won the championship together with Leuenberger. Why should this not also be possible in Biel?
On the ice, Martin Steinegger replaced Jonas Hiller (retirement) with Joren Van Pottelberghe (Davos). The talented goalkeeper could not show his potential at HC Davos. However, he will have to do so in order to keep the Biel team in the race for the play-off places. In addition, the sports director made some important retouches. Peter Schneider (HC Kometa Brno) was replaced by Fabio Hofer (HC Ambrì-Piotta). Petteri Lindbohm was brought in from rival Lausanne.
In addition to Hiller, the heart and soul of EHC Biel also stepped down. For years, Mathieu Tschantré led the team as captain. Closing this gap will not be easy. But with Kevin Fey, a successor could be ready. After the transfer of Jan Neuenschwander to the Mutzen, the captain team will have to be formed anew anyway. Whether Damien Brunner, Luca Cunti or Samuel Kreis can impose themselves remains to be seen.
Calvin townspeople reform
When Geneva announced during the summer that Chris McSorley would no longer be their sporting director, a murmur went through Swiss ice hockey. McSorley was Geneva and Geneva was McSorley. Now this time should be over? This will not be easy to digest for the many supporters at the end of Lac Léman. Nevertheless, this change is important. Like the reformer John Calvin in the past, the Eagles want to reform their field hockey. A first step the management did already last year with the appointment of Patrick Emond as coach. The neo-coach in the National League was able to surprise from the start. He exceeded expectations with a fourth-place finish and even integrated some young players into the first team.
After the departure of Robert Mayer (Davos) came Daniel Manzato (Ambrì-Piotta). This will bring Gauthier Descloux the undisputed number one in goal. Manzato will support and encourage the talented 24-year-old. Should Descloux ever be out of form or have a difficult game, Manzato will step in for him.
With Joel Vermin (Lausanne), the Calvin Towns signed a striker who will cause a lot of trouble in front of the opponent's goal. Together with Linus Omark (Salavat Yulaev Ufa) and Noah Rod in a line would provide a lot of speed in the offense.
The many departures in the squad of Calvin Städter could also be a sign that the Eagles in the future the squad wants to focus even more on young players. With the former elite junior coach Patrick Emond is the right man on the gang to implement this start in the future successfully.
Dragons no longer breathe fire - Forever "Titleless"?
The last few years Fribourg-Gottéron would have had the opportunity to become champions, but mostly went down with waving flags. Coaches came and went, but this did not bring much. Now Christian Dubé starts from the beginning with the double mandate as coach and sports director. He is supported by his friend Pavel Rosa and goalkeeping legend David Aebischer. But won't this double burden be too much for the charismatic Dubé?
With Tristan Vauclair and Ralph Stalder, two formative figures of the Dragons announced their retirement at the end of the season. Flavio Schmutz moved to Emmental and Ludovic Waeber takes up the challenge with the ZSC Lions as Lukas Flüeler's backup. With David Aebischer (no relation to the goalkeeper coach) and Gaetan Jobin (no relation to David Jobin) Dubé signed two young talents who have an interesting future ahead of them. Both return from North America and will take another step forward in their development. Connor Hughes (Rockets) was signed as backup for Reto Berra.
With the signing of Chris DiDomenico, however, sporting director Christian Dubé may have gotten himself an "enfant terrible". Recently, the gifted forward of the SCL Tigers made negative headlines and was partially suspended from training with the Tigers. "DiDo", as he is often affectionately called, is a player reminiscent of Dubé in good times, but Todd Elik in bad. Which face do you think we'll see this season?
Emmental lovers stage with new gang leader
Too sweet, too nice, not tough enough. These attributes were often passed around in recent years when talking about the SCL Tigers. Whether they are true or not, I deliberately leave open, because they could prove to be unnecessary in the coming season. Why? Because there will be no relegation this year and the Emmental team cannot be relegated with these attributes.
This is important for the Emmental team. They start the new season with only two foreigners. Aaron Gagnon (MoDo) and their leading wolf Chris DiDomenico (Fribourg) have left. With the additions of Flavio Schmutz (Fribourg) and Gianluca Zaetta (Academy), the squad was supplemented only selectively. But whether Zaetta will be able to push goalkeeper Ivars Punnenovs and get beyond the status as number two remains questionable.
The most important change for the Langnau team will be in the coaching position. After the departure of Heinz Ehlers, Rikkard Franzén takes over the position as head coach. This change will not immediately lead to his different style of play. However, slight adjustments in the system will be noticeable. It remains to be seen whether the Tigers can get beyond eleventh place and qualify for the Pre-Play-Offs.
Lausanne has cleaned out - 17(!) new players and new coach
With the last chapter in the story of Joel Vermin, Lausanne HC closed a turbulent off-season. The gifted forward left the Vaudois after a heated argument with goalkeeper Luca Boltshauser, which was exploited by the media. The Lions will still feel the pain of this departure.
With the signing of Cory Conacher (Syracuse Crunch), the Vaudois brought an old acquaintance back to Switzerland. Conacher already made his mark with SC Bern and was one of the reasons why the Bernese were able to celebrate another title in 2016. Justin Krueger also has a history with SC Bern. The tough defender did not receive a new contract in Bern and moved to Lac Léman.
With Brian Gibbons (Charlotte Checkers) and Mark Barberio (Colorado Avalanche) the team gets another important upgrade both defensively and offensively. With Tim Bozon (Geneva), Matteo Nodari (Lugano) and Mauro Jörg, there will be more rumblings on the ice. The three players know how they have to check and answer the opponent with their fists one or the other time.
With Craig McTavish as Ville Peltonen's successor, rough, rustic field hockey is returning to the Vaudeoise Arena and probably also some entertainment value for the media. McTavish is known among the coaches as a grinder and as a person who bluntly tells the players what he thinks. Not all players will be able to handle that.
Standstill is not progress - Will Serge Pelletier fail?
The question is not whether Serge Pelletier will fail. The question is only when. This is not meant to be disrespectful or cheeky. It just follows a certain logic. Until now, the high expectations of the fans in Lugano could never be met by a coach. Somehow these are trapped in the era of Jon Sletvoll (1983- 1992). Only Jim Koleff managed to briefly revive Sletvoll's Grande Lugano. And since that time it has been a coming and going on the board of the South Ticinese. In the last 10 years, a total of 13 different coaches have been hired and fired.
With sports director Hnat Domenichelli, the new man on the board has an important ally. But if the Tifosi in the Sottoceneri can't control their temperament, this won't help Pelletier either. With Mark Arcobello (Bern), the sports director lured a leader on and off the ice to Ticino. Linus Klasen (Lulea) had to leave in exchange. David McIntery was another important player to go.
In return, Domenichelli signed forward Daniel Carr (Milwaukee Admirals) and defenseman Tim Heed (San Jose Sharks). The signing of Mikkel Bödker (Ottawa Senators) was the subject of much discussion. The Dane, who was drafted 8th overall in the first round of the 2008 draft by the Phoenix Coyotes, broke camp in North America. Whether the spectacular forward will be happy in Ticino is an open question. Especially because the new coach Pelletier wants to operate from a safe defensive position. Bödker, for his part, is not a defensive worker.
SCRJ Lakers caught in tunnel vision?
The gray mouse of the league must finally take a step forward, not only because of the fans and sponsors, but also for the sake of the league. Since being promoted again three years ago, the St. Gallen team hasn't broken any major ropes. Two times in a row, the Lakers finished in last place. Now the step towards the pre-play-offs should take place. This would mean that the Lakers have to move up to at least 10th place. But with the barely changed squad, this will be a Herculean task.
With the departures of Roman Schlagenhauf (GCK Lions), Juraj Simek (Kloten), Casey Wellman and Danny Kristo (both Kunlun), the Rosenstadt lost some potential. On the other hand, Steve Moses (Jokerit), Nando Eggenberger (Davos) and Julian Payr (Ambrì) joined the team. Will this be enough? Hardly. Although Andrew Roe, Roman Cervenka and Kevin Clark stay, this is not enough to get away from the last place in the league.
... and then came Rikard Grönborg
With the signing of Rikard Grönborg at the beginning of last season, Sven Leuenberger sent a clear signal as head of sports. The Swede was able to stabilize the ZSC Lions in the first quarter of the qualification and managed to put his signature on his team in the remaining time. The city of Zurich rightly finished the qualification in first place ahead of EV Zug.
They also had Pius Suter to thank for this qualification victory. The 24-year-old forward was the reliability himself in the games. The signing of his new contract with the Chicago Blackhawks was accompanied by a rope pull to stay with the team until the start of the new NHL season. The Zurich team remained stubborn and made it impossible for Suter to keep the necessary playing practice.
This certainly had to do with the signing of Sven Andrighetto (Avangard Omsk). The new striker changes for five years to the Zurich and is to earn per year around CHF 700`000. From this point of view, the decision can be understood. Otherwise, the squad remained together. Rikard Grönborg will meet a stable and well-rehearsed team, which no longer needs time to get used to his system.
Finally like 1998?
Since 1998, EV Zug has been waiting for another title win. In recent years, the Zugers were always close to success. In the end, they lacked the explosion, the certain something to celebrate this title. The will is there, the players are hot for the title, but they just don't want to succeed. The question of why is pressing.
The few corrections of Zug, a total of five players left the club, do not seem to tear a big gap. Oscar Lindberg (Dynamo Moscow), Miro Zryd and Thomas Thiry (both to Bern) are to cope with. In addition, Tobias Geisser will leave the team at the latest for the NHL preparation camps in mid-November. Fabian Schnyder has announced his retirement and will be missing from the team in one or the other situation.
For this, the Zugers signed Calvin Thürkauf (Cleveland Monsters). The striker should provide more cold-bloodedness in front of the goal. The question is, however, whether he will remain with Zug. Thürkauf has an exit clause for the NHL in his contract. Should he receive an offer, he will certainly want to use his probably last chance once again.
Ryan McLeod comes to Zug from the Edmonton Oilers. Like Tobias Geisser, he is also only on loan. The chances that the soon to be 21 year old forward will play the whole season in the Zuger dress are high, because he played the last season with the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL.
And if everything goes wrong?
Probably the most important question to answer is whether the season can be played out at all. And if not, what will happen afterwards. It's hard to predict what might happen next. Would the league want to cut the season short and play the rest of the season in a bubble, as in the NHL? Or would the league decide to carry over the games and points into the next season? And what happens to the clubs, what happens to the season subscriptions that were bought and paid for, what happens to the sponsorship money?
All these questions become topical if the Covid-19 numbers were to rise again during the season. Then top ice hockey in Switzerland would be threatened with a heart attack. No club would have the means and the strength to pay the wages of the players, to refund the money to the sponsors and the fans. No short-time compensation would help either. The damage would be immense. But as the well-known saying goes, which is probably of little comfort, "Hope dies last". Let's hope that the season will go on as normally as possible. For the sport. For the players. For the fans.
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