You were once a hockey student at EVZ. What brought you back?

I am impressed by the professional approach that the organisation has taken. The commitment is unique in Switzerland and spurs me on to improve. It was clear to me that if I came back to Switzerland, it would be to EVZ.

Did you flirt with a contract in the PWHL professional league in the USA?

No. I would have had to register for the draft. I didn’t do that after I was sure that I wanted to go back home. For the same reason, a fifth year at college was out of the question.
college was out of the question.

College sport is held in high regard in the USA. How do you compare with the opportunities that the EVZ offers you?

College ice hockey was a good experience, but it remains a school sport. The infrastructure we can use in Zug is simply great. Besides, it’s different for me to play for a school
or for the town I’m from. It really is a matter close to my heart.

What do you miss from America?

The relaxed and open nature of the people. In Switzerland, everyone is more structured – that can be positive, but also negative.

What influence did your time in the USA have on your personal development?

A big one, as I realised more and more after my return. I had to grow up quickly and learn to do my own shopping and generally organise my life.
It was a big step that certainly did me good.

How did you reconcile school and sport?

It was easy for me to do my homework and study on the five- or six-hour car journeys to away games. It helped that I had already mastered this in Switzerland.

You have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. What’s next for your career?

I am employed by EVZ as an ice hockey player on a 40 per cent workload. I am also looking for a part-time position. The organisation’s large network is very helpful here.

The women’s team will be training on ice at the OYM until the end of July.

Back to the sporting side of things. In North America, the game is more physical than in Switzerland. How do you adapt to that?

Cheques aren’t allowed at college either, but it’s more possible than in Switzerland. I’ll certainly have to get used to that. The same applies to the larger ice rinks, which probably suit my style of play.

It’s striking that you’ve never been seriously injured in your career so far. Good training or just luck?

That’s difficult to say. I missed a month each due to a broken ankle and a shoulder injury. But all in all, it was really positive for me and I want to keep it that way.

When you left in 2020, women’s ice hockey was not an issue in Zug. Just four years later, things are very different.

However. I would never have thought that something like this would be possible here. The Women’s Team is hugely valued.

How were you received?

I have a very familiar feeling as I know most of my team-mates from my time in Reinach and the national team. There’s already a harmony and we’re a real team – I’m really looking forward to being part of it.

The women’s team was hardly challenged in its first season. Did you follow their performance?

Yes, I watched a few matches on the stream. My parents also went to matches and told me about them afterwards. After promotion, we will certainly be under more pressure. Because
a lot has happened in Switzerland compared to four years ago, not just at EVZ but in general.

What is your goal in Zug?

I came here to win titles. When I look at our team, that is already a realistic goal for the coming season.

This article appeared in the current issue of EISZEIT Business.

The EISZEIT Sport & Business magazine offers background information, reports, portraits, interviews and news from the entire EVZ Family 7 times a year. As an EISZEIT subscriber, you will receive the EISZEIT Sport issue 4 times a year and the EISZEIT Business issue 3 times a year.