After five years in Central Switzerland, Thomi Derungs has decided to take on a new challenge with the SIHF starting next season. Derungs joined EVZ in 2020 and coached the U17 elite juniors for three years, spending the last two seasons as head coach of the U20 elites, with whom he won the qualification in both seasons and the Swiss championship title in 2024. The 2024-25 season ended for Derungs and his team on Wednesday evening with a 5-0 win in the bronze medal game against HC Davos. The 51-year-old will take up the newly created position of Senior Manager Coach Development at the SIHF.
The previous head coach Thomi Derungs is leaving the EVZ for Swiss Ice Hockey (SIHF). With Reto Suri, the EVZ has been able to recruit a successor from its own ranks.
In Reto Suri, a qualified successor has been found from within the club’s own ranks. Suri, who retired as a player in 2024, took over as Assistant Coach of the U20s last summer and has already acquired a great deal of expertise as a coach. Together with his extensive experience as a professional player, he is the ideal candidate for the job of Head Coach. The 36-year-old will take on this role with the U21 Elite team, as the age groups of the juniors will be changed from the 2025/26 season as part of the “Impact +1” structural adjustment – the U17s will become the U18s and the U20s the U21s. Suri will also continue to work in scouting for the organization.
The EVZ is currently working on recruiting a suitable successor for the position of Development Coach. The new person will not only be responsible for the individual development of the players, but will also act as assistant coach for the U21 and U18 teams.
The EVZ would like to thank Thomi Derungs for his commitment and wishes him all the best for his new challenge.
