Since last week, the EVZ U17 Elite Team has definitely qualified for the playoffs. Head coach Sven Lindemann speaks of a “nice sign for the boys, who have worked hard towards this goal”. Zug finished fifth in the qualifiers and will face HC Lugano in the quarter-finals. “Let’s see where our path takes us,” says Lindemann. The success of the team and the staff is not only measured by the ranking. The Hockey Academy program is also about introducing players to the next level. For example, six U17 players – Flavio Andri, Gian Körner, Lucien Lehmann, Ramon Meier, Dorian Moret and Dario Schilter – have also made appearances for the U20 Elite team. “The players can get used to a different role there than they have with us,” explains Sven Lindemann.
In addition, three players, Levi Burri, Daniele Guzzi and Yanis Lutz, have joined The Hockey Academy training program in 2023, where they will be trained to become professional ice hockey players, including a professional foundation. Sven Lindemann already knows the three from his time as Head Coach of the U15 team. “It’s a tough program. But as everything takes place in the same building, at the OYM, they don’t waste any time traveling, which is a big advantage.”
The EVZ elite teams at U20 and U17 level can look back on a successful qualification campaign. This is also measured by the number of players who have played at the next level up.
U20-ELIT WON THE REGULAR SEASON
The former EVZ NL forward (2010 to 2014) still knows Zug U20 head coach Thomi Derungs from his playing days. The two share an office with Ted Suihkonen (Head of Development) and Marco Mathis (Goalie Coach), where they discuss the development of the talents. Thomi Derungs is proud of what his team has achieved. The team has been the qualification winners for some time now. After the 6:3 victory in the last game against Lausanne on Sunday, the lead over second-placed Kloten is a whopping 10 points. Nevertheless, the coach says: “We won a lot of matches that we didn’t necessarily have to win. We were sometimes far from our playing potential. But in the final phase and with the goalie out in favor of a sixth outfield player, we still turned some games around. That shows fighting spirit, but we can’t rely on that. Especially not in the playoffs.” Interesting fact: Despite the team’s dominance, Robin Antenen is the first Zug U20 player to appear in the scorers’ list in 13th place. The responsibility is therefore spread across many shoulders.
The work of Thomi Derungs and Co. focuses on training players for the men’s team. With Nico Antenen, Nic Balestra, Loris Wey, Louis Robin as well as Leon and Tim Muggli, there are six players of U20 age who have made appearances in the NL team. “These guys are not just called up to be called up, they are given responsibility.
