EVZ Junior Yanis Lutz is ready for the next step

“I’m coming back to Switzerland to do my summer training there, where I’ll be focusing specifically on strength and stability. I’m really looking forward to the EVZ environment and the OYM.” These words come from Yanis Lutz, who began his four-year course at ‘The Hockey Academy’ in Zug in 2023. After two years, however, the U20 international made the leap to North America as early as the summer of 2025, and when we profiled the former Toronto Maple Leafs fan in March, he chose the words quoted above.

Now Yanis Lutz is back in Canada – and is starting his second season in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Peterborough Petes. Following an instructive first year, the 18-year-old EVZ junior is set to take on more responsibility. As mentioned at the start, he laid the foundations for this in Zug this summer: for three months, Lutz worked specifically at the OYM on his physical fitness, his speed and his one-on-one defending. His first appearances of the new season in Canada show that this intensive preparation is already bearing fruit. In each of the first three games of the season, Lutz has featured on the scoresheet with an assist. Including his pre-season form, he has already scored one goal and provided five assists.

Lutz, who also completed his commercial apprenticeship at OYM College whilst in Cham, knew exactly what he wanted to work on this summer following his first season in North America. His hockey IQ and technical skills are among his greatest strengths. However, to demonstrate these more consistently at OHL level, he has so far lacked the necessary physical foundation in some areas.

“Over the past year here in North America, I’ve realised that I certainly still have a step to take physically,” says Lutz. “Every now and then during a match, I couldn’t utilise all my technical skills because I still lacked the physical strength to assert myself.” This realisation became his driving force for the summer months. Lutz arrived at OYM with clear goals and tackled his pre-season training with the necessary intensity.

Three months at full throttle at the OYM

For three months, the forward worked consistently on his physical development. “Those three months at the OYM this summer were huge for me,” says Lutz. As well as working off the ice, he was also able to benefit from the facilities at the EVZ whilst on the ice. The sessions with the NL team were particularly valuable. At the start of the summer, Lutz often trained with Ted Suihkonen, and later also with members of the National League coaching team or Reto Suri. “Training with the professionals gave him a direct insight into the intensity that awaits him in North America too.”

“I wanted to work hard on my physical conditioning. The intensity of the one-on-one battles with the first team showed me a whole new level,” explains Lutz. “I was able to learn a great deal here – not just physically, but also in the technical aspects of one-on-one play.”

Nutrition was also a key part of his preparation. Having spent two years at the OYM, Lutz had already gained experience in this area and was able to build on it further over the summer. After all, as you get older and move towards professional sport, taking personal responsibility becomes increasingly important. “Here in North America, you’re much more on your own. The quality of food, whether from the supermarket or in restaurants, isn’t up to the same standard here. That’s where this experience is really helping me now.”

Lutz has already seen just how much his summer training is actually affecting his game in the three pre-season matches (all of which ended in victory) with the Petes. “I’ve definitely noticed that the strength I’ve built up over the summer is helping me on the ice.” Lutz feels the difference particularly in situations where he has to hold his own against an opponent and then create space. “Thanks to my physical development – especially the increase in speed – I can now shake off opponents much more quickly and effectively, or create space for myself after a battle,” explains Lutz. “My physical advantage also helps me in transition play.” The forward, who was born in Lachen, featured on the first line in all the pre-season friendlies – a huge vote of confidence.

More responsibility with the Petes

In his second season in Peterborough, Lutz is set to take on a different role to the one he had last season. “I learnt a great deal in my first year and was able to take on a ‘simpler’ role at times behind the established players,” explains Lutz. “This year, it’s definitely about taking on more responsibility. That’s what the coaches expect, and that’s what I expect of myself too.”

The team’s goals are clear too. The ten-time OHL champions are aiming to compete for the title. At the same time, Lutz has a personal goal in mind with the NHL Entry Draft coming up next summer. “Of course, I don’t think about it every minute, but it’s definitely in the back of my mind. It also provides some healthy motivation.”

At the EVZ, the young forward’s progress is, of course, being followed with great interest. Roland Schmid, head of ‘The Hockey Academy’, says: ‘The fact that Yanis is able to perform at this level and take on an important role straight away following three intensive months at the OYM in Canada is a strong indication of the quality of our joint efforts. The professional environment at the OYM, the targeted nutritional support and the daily work of our coaches have all made a significant contribution to this.”

“A strong indication of the quality of our joint efforts”

Roland Schmid, Director of ‘The Hockey Academy’

For Lutz, who – as was the case last year – is living with a host family, the aim is to put himself in the best possible position for next summer by having a strong season. The history of the OHL clearly demonstrates that it can be an important step on the path to the NHL. Players such as Connor McDavid and John Tavares gained experience in the OHL before being selected as the number one pick in the NHL Draft in 2015 and 2009 respectively. Lutz, of course, still has a long way to go, but with his intensive preparation at the OYM this summer, he has taken another important step in his personal development.