Now it is confirmed: EVZ forward Fabian Schnyder has decided to retire after 17 seasons in the Zug dress.
On 21 September 2019, Fabian Schnyder played his last National League game for the EVZ. Afterwards he had to have his hip joint operated a second time and had to end the season 2019/20 early. Now the long-time EVZ Captain ( from 2012 to 2016) has decided not to extend his contract, which expired at the end of last season, and to end his active career. Although his recovery from the hip operation was successful, the risk of further strain in professional sports would have been too high. Health is more important to the 34-year-old forward than a possible extension of his career.
Fabian Schnyder joined EVZ in 1996 from Küssnachter SC. As a junior player he won two championship titles with the EVZ elite juniors (2003 and 2004), and in 2004 he took part in the World Cup in Finland with the Swiss U20 national team. In the season 2003/04, he made the leap from the elite juniors to the Zug National League team, with whom he celebrated the second-place title in 2017 and 2019 and the cup title in 2019. In 17 seasons and 873 championship games he scored 125 goals, 151 assists and 276 scorer points for his EVZ, to which he remained loyal until his retirement. With his exemplary attitude and his above-average running and fighting qualities, the powerful wing was one of the top performers right up to the end. Thanks to his open and modest manner, he was a figurehead and likeable ambassador of the club even off the ice.
Fabian Schnyder speaks of a goodbye with one crying and one laughing eye. “I will definitely miss the daily contact with the EVZ family, the dressing room and the competition atmosphere. But all the good contacts and friendships will remain and the EVZ will keep a place in my heart forever.” He is looking forward to a month or two off to gain some distance and he plans to start an internship as a pain therapist in October. During his hockey career, Fabian Schnyder earned a diploma as a financial expert and then went on to complete the Medical Fundamentals course. He has already been working for quite some time in the physiotherapy clinic of his brother Adrian, where he does administrative work and provides treatments recognised by health insurance companies. In addition, he acts as Vice President and advisor to Mike Renggli, the President of Hockey Central Switzerland, and thus remains connected with ice hockey and the training of young hockey players, which is especially close to his heart. Fabian can also look forward to the upcoming period in his private life: Fabian and Nicole Schnyder are expecting their first child in September.
On behalf of the entire EVZ family, CEO Patrick Lengwiler thanks the outstanding sportsman for his tireless commitment to the EVZ and wishes him only the best for the future: “With Fabian we are losing a long-standing role model and a exemplary professional who has always put himself at the service of the team and the club with exceptional passion and willingness to make sacrifices. He deserves our sincere respect and our greatest thanks!”
The official farewell ceremony will take place at the beginning of the coming season during a championship home match in the BOSSARD Arena. Further information will follow at a later date.
