First on-ice training session and medical update

The boys are back on the ice – and there were plenty of new faces among them. At Monday’s first on-ice practice, new signings Mathieu Croce, Jacob Moverare, Eric Schneller, Rico Gredig, Nik Petrovic and Chris Egli were all involved.

The session was also led by a new Head Coach, Lauri Marjamäki. “I am very pleased with the first practice; the guys did a good job,” said the Finn. There are now 42 days to go until the season opener in Lausanne on 15 September. “During this time, we will focus on three things: team building, establishing routines both on and off the ice, and bringing our game to a level that will allow us to start the championship successfully in September.”

Before then, EVZ will also play seven pre-season games. Due to construction work in the OYM hall, all of them will take place away from home. The first pre-season game will be played on 15 August in Rapperswil against the SCRJ Lakers – EVZ fans can find information on how to get tickets here.

On Monday, nearly the entire EVZ first team was on the ice – including Lino Martschini. It was his first team practice on the ice since suffering a cruciate ligament injury in October 2025. Lino Martschini: “It’s a lot of fun to be back on the ice with the guys.” It will still take a while before he’s fully recovered; the winger is currently participating in EVZ practices in a red jersey—meaning no physical contact yet.

New player Chris Egli also took to the ice in red for his first practice with the EVZ. Egli is recovering from meniscus surgery he underwent over the summer and will fully rejoin team practices in the coming weeks.

Mike Künzle and Elia Riva were not on the ice on Monday. Künzle has been dealing with a lower-body injury since July and will be sidelined until at least the end of September. Elia Riva is currently dealing with a foot injury; a decision on his return to the ice will be made on a week-to-week basis.