OC President Roland Schmid, head of the Hockey Academy, speaks of a Champions Hockey League at youth level, sports director Reto Kläy of a Spengler Cup for the best European U20 teams. The expectations and anticipation of those involved are high, and rightly so: With Rögle BK, Mannheim, IFK Helsinki, Bili Tygri Liberec and the ZSC Lions, the EVZ U20-Elit not only meet the current Swiss champions in the highest junior category, but also top-class teams from the top nations Finland, Sweden, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Like the ZSC Lions, Mannheim and Rögle BK also claimed the national crown in the 2022/23 season. It was the 17th title for the Mannheim young eagles from the most successful German junior school, the tenth for the Zurich team and the first for the Swedes. IFK Helsinki also has five national titles in junior Palmarès, but had to settle for sixth place last season. Bili Tygri Liberec, who stepped in for HC Pilsen who were unable to attend, fell to 12th place in the Czech championship after finishing runners-up in 2022, but wants to play for the title again next season.

At the start of the 1st EVZ Prospects Challenge, the four foreign teams will meet on Thursday, August 17th. Liberec, Helsinki and the ZSC Lions are divided into Group A, Mannheim, Rögle and EVZ into Group B. The results of the two group games determine the pairings for the finals for places 1-6 on Sunday. With the exception of the finals around 3./4, all games take place in the BOSSARD Arena.

Reto Kläy hopes that the audience will be appropriately popular, not only because of the free entry and the supporting program: “The field of participants promises high-class junior ice hockey, many players were participating at the U18 World Championship. We want to set a new standard with this tournament and we hope that our fans will appreciate our efforts as well!"