Ten EVZ players were selected for Swiss junior teams last week. “National team call-ups are a testament to our work,” says Roland Schmid, head of The Hockey Academy (THA) at EVZ. However, there is no requirement within the organization as to how many players from which age group should play internationally. Roland Schmid refers to the general goal of the THA training program: “We create the conditions to bring our talents to the top, in other words, to enable them to pursue a professional career.” A national team call-up is an enrichment along this path, because international experience is particularly valuable for the players.
The THA players are also facing tough challenges in the current season: EVZ fields remarkably young teams. This means that players have to take on responsibility at a higher level at an early age – as is the case with forward Sol Fueter. The 17-year-old is currently third in the U21-Elit scoring list. His reward so far has been two appearances in the NL team and a call-up for the U18 Five Nations Tournament in Sweden last week. Sol Fueter recorded two assists. “Games against players of the same age are always a good opportunity to assess your own international standing,” he says. “Sol is a good example of our path to the future: as an underage player in the U21 team, he has earned his NL appearances through hard work,” praises Roland Schmid. The same applies to Jan Daron, who in the N
Ten talented players from The Hockey Academy in Zug recently played in international matches. Among them was 17-year-old U21 elite forward Sol Fueter, who has already played in the NL.
«That was the best decision of my sporting career so far. I was given a fantastic welcome in Zug—they really believe in promoting young talent here.»
Sol Fueter, Forward EVZ U21-Elit
Sol Fueter transferred from the ZSC Lions organization to EVZ for the current season. “That was the best decision of my sporting career so far,” he says. “I was given a great welcome in Zug, and I immediately felt a lot of trust from U21 head coach Reto Suri – here, promoting young talent is really put into practice,” adds the Zurich native. His first NL appearances have fulfilled a childhood dream for him. “I will continue to give my best and push myself to play in more NL games,” says Sol Fueter.
He and the U21-Elit team won 6-2 against Genève Futur Hockey on Wednesday. On Friday, they will travel to the Gottardo Arena in Ambrì (puck drop at 8:15 p.m.), before playing at home against the Fribourg-Gottéron Young Dragons at the OYM in Cham on Sunday (3:45 p.m.). The U18 elite team will play against the ZSC Lions at the OYM on Friday (5 p.m.) and against the HCFG on Sunday (12:15 p.m.).
