Shortly before the playoffs starting on Saturday, March 8, the EVZ can announce three important contract extensions with defensemen Annika Fazokas and Nadine Hofstetter as well as forward Noemi Ryhner. The Zug native has signed a contract for the next three years.
The Austrian Annika Fazokas extends her contract by two years, Noemi Ryhner stays until 2028 and Nadine Hofstetter will also be part of the EVZ Women’s Team next season.
«That is a strong commitment from Noemi. Despite her young age, she already has a great deal of experience and will be able to further exploit her potential in the coming years.»
Head Coach Daniela Diaz on Noemi Ryhner’s contract extension
The 24-year-old international forward returned to her home country in 2023 after two years in the top Swedish women’s league SDHL with Luleå and Leksand.
Annika Fazokas was already Ryhner’s teammate at Leksands IF. The offensive defenseman has not only been a regular at EVZ for two years, but is also one of the top performers on the Austrian national team. In 22 regular-season games in the PostFinance Women’s League this season, the right-shooter has scored seven goals and provided 17 assists. This makes her the second most productive defender in the league. The 27-year-old has signed a contract extension in Zug until 2027.
Another defenseman, Nadine Hofstetter, has signed with the EVZ for at least one more season. The 30-year-old, who learned the basics of ice hockey at KSC Küssnacht am Rigi, already won the Swiss championship title in 2016 and 2017 with the ZSC Lions women together with Noemi Ryhner and now wants to repeat that with the EVZ.
«Annika and Nadine are two strong pillars in our defense and also important leaders off the ice. Our younger players can benefit from their valuable experience.»
Daniela Diaz on the qualities of Annika Fazokas and Nadine Hofstetter
Noemi Ryhner, Annika Fazokas and Nadine Hofstetter will start the playoffs with the EVZ Women’s Team in eight days’ time. Thanks to second place in the regular season, the Zug women have secured direct qualification for the semi-finals. Who they will face in the best-of-five series from Saturday, March 8 will be decided in the play-in between HC Davos and Fribourg Gottéron as well as HC Ambrì-Piotta and the ZSC Lions.
