Paolo Duca is new CEO of EVZ

Paolo Duca will take up the post of CEO at EVZ in mid-July, succeeding Patrick Lengwiler. Duca served as sporting director at HC Ambrì-Piotta from 2017 until October 2025 and had already made a significant mark on Swiss ice hockey during his playing career. Born in Ticino, he also played for EVZ for five and a half years between 2002 and 2007, making a total of 212 appearances for the club.

Paolo Duca: “The EVZ is very close to my heart. I’m really looking forward to my new role as CEO and would like to thank the Board of Directors for their trust. At the same time, I have great respect for the work carried out by Patrick Lengwiler and Reto Kläy over the past few years. Now I’d like to use my experience to help the EVZ celebrate successes both on and off the ice.”

In his role as CEO, Duca will also work closely with Ted Suihkonen, who was appointed General Manager on Saturday. “Ted and I have already had an initial discussion and I’m looking forward to working with him.” Paolo Duca and Ted Suihkonen, together with the existing members Ibrahim Can, Karsten Huhnke and Myriam Stierli, form the new management team.

The Board of Directors and the Executive Board take the current situation surrounding the EVZ very seriously and are committed to ensuring a more independent EVZ. As a first step, the existing partnership with the OYM will be improved. The OYM is clearly a service provider and is intended to support the EVZ as best as possible on its path to sporting success.

Hans-Peter Strebel, Chairman of the Board of Directors, says: “We are delighted to have found an excellent candidate to fill the vacant CEO post in the person of Paolo Duca. With his many years of experience in the industry, Paolo is the right man for this role. Together, we will do everything in our power to ensure that calm and sporting success return to the EVZ.”

Client representation clarified

The succession for the vacant role of client representative for the OYM hall extension has also been finalised. Board member Adrian Risi will assume this responsibility alongside the project client, Balz Käppeli, and will support Olivier Huber, Head of Infrastructure at EVZ.