Robin Antenen, Nic Balestra, Mischa Geisser and Loris Wey will definitely join the EVZ National League team: They will receive a professional contract. This underlines the organization’s strategy of relying on home-grown players. There are currently already nine players in the first team with a past in the EVZ youth program. This includes Nic Balestra (19), who is a permanent member of the first team this season, but will continue to play in the U20 Elite team. Robin Antenen, Mischa Geisser and Loris Wey (all 18) have also already played in the first team.
The four are completing the exemplary training program at The Hockey Academy (THA). They belong to the class of 2021 and are now in their fourth and final year of training. Robin Antenen, Nic Balestra and Mischa Geisser are aiming for a commercial diploma, Loris Wey for a high school diploma. All four were also able to count on the support of the Hockey Academy Foundation during their training. “I am very happy for these four boys and am proud of them and the program,” says Roland Schmid, head of THA, who speaks of an ‘excellent 2006 class’. “Our goal is to get players to the top, and we work for that every day.”
Defensemen Nic Balestra and Mischa Geisser as well as forwards Robin Antenen and Loris Wey have each signed a contract with EVZ for the next two years. All of them have already made appearances with the 1st team this season.
«Our vision is to promote young talents and bring them into the professional leagues – be it the National League, the Swiss League or even the NHL.»
Reto Kläy, General Manager EVZ
In the current graduating class, five out of eight players have already signed a National League contract; in addition to the four Zug players, Ludvig Johnson will play for Fribourg Gottéron next season. In addition, 18-year-old Leon Muggli, who will complete his THA training in the summer of 2026, is another player at the highest level – Muggli signed an entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals after the NHL Draft last summer and is currently on loan with EVZ. “Our vision is to promote young talents and bring them into the professional leagues – be it the National League, the Swiss League or even the NHL,” emphasizes General Manager Reto Kläy.
Of the 58 graduates from the seven THA graduating classes to date, 18 are currently playing in the National League, nine in the Swiss League and six abroad. “Around two players per class make it into the Swiss professional leagues. This year there are at least five.” Of course, the aim is to integrate as many talented players as possible into the team, but this is not always possible, explains Kläy. “Ultimately, every professional contract signed by a THA graduate is a success for our training program.”