The EVZ National League team has not presented a good picture of itself in recent weeks. In addition to the many defeats in a row, the team’s performance has increasingly failed to meet the expectations of the EVZ. As a result, the EVZ has decided to relieve Head Coach Michael Liniger of his duties with immediate effect.
The EVZ is parting ways with Michael Liniger with immediate effect. The 57-year-old Canadian Benoît Groulx will take over as Head Coach until the end of the season.
“We supported and backed Michael Liniger as much as we could. Ultimately, however, as Head Coach he was responsible for the team and its performance. Unfortunately, he did not succeed sufficiently in moving the team forward and giving it stability.”
Patrick Lengwiler, EVZ CEO
EVZ thanks Michael Liniger for his commitment and wishes him all the best for the future.
In the difficult situation in which the EVZ finds itself, Benoît Groulx has agreed to take over the team as head coach until the end of the season. The Canadian was head coach in the American Hockey League for many years, including for the Syracuse and Rochester teams. In the 2014/15 season, he was Head Coach of Canada’s U20 national team, which became world champions with him. Most recently, he was Head Coach at Traktor Chelyabinsk until November, where he took the team to the final in the 2024/25 season. Benoît Groulx is expected to arrive in Zug on Thursday and will then take over as Head Coach.
