Following the successful premiere of the EVZ Prospects Challenge in the summer of 2023, last year’s winners IFK Helsinki (FIN), Rögle BK (SWE), HC Bílí Tygři Liberec (CZE) and the GCK/ZSC Lions returned to Zug in the BOSSARD Arena in recent days. The tournament field was completed by hosts EVZ and Red Bull Salzburg (AUT), who were invited to the international U20 tournament for the first time this year.
Salzburg and EVZ kicked off the second edition of the Prospects Challenge on Wednesday evening. The home side won the exciting game 1:0 in front of almost 300 spectators. In the second group game on Friday evening, the team of head coach Thomi Derungs had to concede defeat to the defending champions Helsinki 2:3 after overtime. It was therefore clear that the Zug team would be battling it out with league rivals GCK/ZSC Lions for 3rd place on Sunday morning. After losing the small final a year ago, the EVZ U20-Elit took revenge with a convincing 7:3 victory and secured third place.
The second EVZ Prospects Challenge took place in Zug from August 14 to 18, 2024. Top-class teams from all over Europe competed for the title at the international U20 tournament. EVZ finished in third place.
The final encounter was also a reprise of 2023: Rögle BK from Sweden wanted to challenge Helsinki as they did a year ago, but were ultimately beaten 3-0 after conceding three goals in the final period. The Finns thus defended their title and were able to lift the EVZ Prospects Challenge Cup – presented by EVZ player Fredrik Olofsson – once again this year. In the placement games for 5th and 6th place, Liberec got the upper hand against Salzburg.
“For us, the Prospects Challenge is a great opportunity to compete with top international teams and get to know a different playing culture,” says Thomi Derungs, Head Coach EVZ U20-Elit. On Saturday afternoon, a Coaches Clinic was also held for the first time for the managers of all teams, with presentations by EVZ Head of Development Ted Suihkonen and Adam Bengtsson, Head Coach of Rögle BK. “This provided the ideal opportunity to exchange ideas with the other coaches and learn from each other.”
Roli Schmid, Head of The Hockey Academy and OC President of the EVZ Prospects Challenge, also drew a positive conclusion: “Over the last five days in Zug, we were able to enjoy great, top-class ice hockey at the highest junior level. We would like to thank all the teams and their coaches, all the sponsors and officials. Without you, a tournament like this would not be possible. We would also like to thank the numerous spectators. They provided a worthy backdrop for the players. On behalf of the EVZ and the organizing committee, I would like to congratulate IFK Helsinki on defending their title and hope that we can welcome them back again in a year’s time.”
