1699 minutes and 36 seconds – that’s how much ice time the players born in 2005 and 2006 received in the 1st team during the regular season. The ice time was distributed among the defensemen Leon Muggli (657:53), Ludvig Johnson (473:12), Mischa Geisser (173:02), Nic Balestra (163:09), Luc Bachmann (13:00) and the forwards Robin Antenen (139:18), Loris Wey (76:10) and Colin Lindemann (3:52). In February, 17-year-old Dorian Moret also moved into the line-up due to numerous defensive absences – but he still has to wait for his first shift in the National League.
No other National League team has used players under the age of 20 as often as the EVZ.
The ice time of Leon Muggli, who was drafted 52nd overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2024 NHL Draft, is unmatched among U20 players in the National League – he was on the ice for a total of almost eleven hours spread over 40 games. It remains to be seen whether he will also get ice time with the EVZ next season. It is quite possible that the 18-year-old’s future lies in North America as early as the fall of 2025.
Like the other U20 players who gained the trust of head coach Dan Tangnes in the qualifiers, Muggli is also completing “The Hockey Academy” training program. One exception is Colin Lindemann – the son of U17 Head Coach Sven Lindemann comes from the EVZ youth program, but ventured to Sweden at the age of 15 and spent his junior years with Leksands IF.
With Robin Antenen, Nic Balestra, Mischa Geisser and Loris Wey, four players have also received their first professional contract with EVZ, while Ludvig Johnson has signed a professional contract with Fribourg-Gottéron.
«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
