852 National League games, 38 Champions Hockey League games and 89 appearances with the Swiss national team – Reto Suri has experienced quite a few highlights in his 17-year professional career: he was one of the World Cup silver medallists in 2013, won the Cup with EVZ in 2019 and claimed the long-awaited Swiss championship title in 2022.
However, the forward was not spared the misfortune of injury: a serious knee injury suffered in the 2022 play-off final forced him to take a long break. Suri fought his way back, but together with his family he also thought about the continuation of his career.
Reto Suri had already decided to end his active career last summer. The 35-year-old’s career as an ice hockey player came to an end with the semi-final loss to the ZSC Lions on April 8, but he will remain loyal to the EVZ in another capacity.
In the summer of 2023, the decision was made to hang up his skates after one last season with EVZ. The new knee injury in late summer therefore came at an inopportune time. But it was clear to the Zug crowd favorite: “I will invest everything in my power to get back on the ice.”
He succeeded on January 19 of this year. 24 more games were added in the regular season and the playoffs, meaning Suri donned the EVZ uniform a total of 519 times in the National League, 38 games in the CHL and 15 Cup games.
And even after his career on the ice, Reto Suri will remain loyal to the EVZ: after gaining his first experience behind the boards this season alongside Dan Tangnes and Michael Liniger, he will not only be assistant coach to Thomi Derungs with the U20-Elit from the coming season, but will also take on an active role in scouting and player development. In this role, he will be able to work in particular with young players from competitive and professional sports on the ice and pass on his many years of experience.
«I am very happy to continue to be part of the EVZ family and am grateful to the organization for allowing me to stay true to my passion – ice hockey – in a new job. A new chapter in my life is beginning, and I am looking forward to it with great anticipation!»
Reto Suri on his new challenge at EVZ
BLASER STAYS WITH U17, FISCHER QUITS HIS JOB AT EVZ
Patrick Fischer, who won the Swiss championship title as assistant coach with the U20-Elit this season, is leaving his position for professional reasons. The EVZ would like to thank him for his outstanding and reliable work over eight years as assistant coach of the U17-Elit and last year alongside Thomi Derungs at the U20 and wishes him all the best for his personal and professional future.
Yannick Blaser will also be working as assistant to Sven Lindemann with the U17-Elit in the coming season. Blaser can also draw on many years of experience as a player and pass it on to young players for their development.
