2016-17 Swiss Women's Hockey League season – A preview

There is nothing new in the first tier of women’s hockey. Only a duo or a foursome will be in the title race. The ZSC Lions and HC Lugano alongside BOMO Thun and the Neuchâtel Hockey Academy. It would be a big surprise, however, if the Lions or Lugano did not manage to clinch another title.

ZSC Lions

The current champion, the ZSC Lions, are the front runners despite some changes to their team. They have a new coach Christof Amsler, who previously worked in the Second League. He replaces Daniela Diaz who is now full-time head coach of the national team. Moreover, despite the departures of Livia Altmann (Colgate University) and defender Angela Frautschi (now assistant coach), they still have a strong roster. With French goaltender Carol Baldin, they Lions do have one of the league’s best goalies. In addition, two young Swiss-Canadians should replace Frautschi and strengthen their defense. The goal for this season is very clear-cut. „We want to defend both titles, the Championship and the Cup,“ head coach Amsler explains.

HC Lugano with new Canadian power

Nobody is officially talking about a title in Lugano. But they do not want another silver medal in the Ticino. Officially they announce that they want to have a better result than last season and to take the Cup more seriously. After a year with European imports, they once again put their trust in Canadians. The 22-year-old Carly Payerl comes from Rochester; forward Rebecca Kohler, also 22, played for the University of Dakota in the past seven years. The Canadian U22 player is a double citizen and thus does not count as an import player. Both of them strengthen Lugano’s offence. Thanks to Payerl and Kohler, HC Lugano is a stronger opponent than last season, despite the departure of national team player Anja Stiefel (Sweden).

Neuchâtel Hockey Academy– New name, old goals

Neuchâtel, which is now an independent team, aims high fort he 2016-17 season. For their president Laure Aeschimman, reaching the final of the Championship is once again their goal. But not for all coast. Due to economic reasons, NHA only has one import player: last year’s top scorer Breehan Polci from Canada. “In year one of our existence, we do not want to take any financial risks,“ Aeschimann explains. This decision could also be due to the return of former national team player Julia Marty who returns to the ice after a one-year break. With the arrival of national team goalie Andrea Brändli and some young and aspiring players on their roster, including U18 national team player Sydney Berta, they have enough potential for more than “just” the bronze medal.

BOMO Thun

Bomo Thun wants to win its first medal. Twice, the Bernese fell in the bronze-medal series. But they want to return with a new coach and new player. After the retirement of Lolita Andrisevska and Bruno Allemann (retirement due to professional reasons), they hired the Canadian coach Steve Huard. Huard only worked in the Romandie thus far, clinching the SWHL B title with the Fribourg Ladies. The Canadian is considered to be very strict. Team manager Roger Rensch calls him the best-educated coach of the SWHL A. Huard should give the players a new identity; they should identify with the team even more. Now, they have two new French players as well as one new Italian. However, if they are good enough to replace the Canadian forward duo Jennifer Gallo and Jennifer More has yet to be determined

Reinach und Weinfelden – The tip to the scale?

The question is once again how competitive Reinach and Weinfelden really are. They finished dead last this past season. Reinach tries another reboot with former national team player Melanie Häftliger who is their new head coach. Staying in the SWHL A is their main goal. They do not have import players due to financial reasons. “We want to use our resources to invest in Swiss players and their development,” president Stefan Frank explains. With their current potential, however, Reinach will not be more than an occasional spoilsport.

Weinfelden, on the other hand, is certainly stronger than in previous years. Laura Trachsel, who returns after a gap year in Canada, should compensate the departure of Rahel Michielin (St. Thomas University). In addition, five European import players are available to head coach Daniel Zbinden. The goal for this season is clear-cut: reaching the playoffs for the first time.

OVERVIEW

Bomo Thun

Coach: Steve Huard (CAN, new).

Imports: Lara Escudero (FRA, new), Linda Österlund (FIN, new), Valentina Ricca (ITA, new), Victoire Masure (FRA, new).

New players: Victoire Masure (Lausanne Novizen), Lara Escudero (Cégep de Saint-Laurent, CAN), Linda Östlund (Blues, FIN), Valentina Ricca (Sundsvall, SWE), Mélyna Desboeufs (Lugano/Ajoie), Mandy Juillerat (Fribourg Ladies).

Players who left: Jennifer More (Memmingen), Jennifer Gallo (AUT), Anja Vogt (Brandis).

Lugano

Coach: Marzio Brambilla (SUI)

Imports: Carly Payerl (CAN, new), Anneke Orlandini (ITA), Federica Galtieri (ITA), Elena Ballardini (ITA), Elisa Ballardini (ITA ).

New players: Carly Payerl (RIT Rochester, NCAA), Rebecca Kohler (University of North Dakota, NCAA, Double citizen), Camilla Covini (Novaggio Inline).

Players who left: Anja Stiefel (Lulea, SWE), Anouck Bouché (?), Mélyna Desboeufs (Bomo).

Neuchâtel Hockey Academy

Coach: Yan Gigon (SUI)

Import player: Breehan Polci (CAN).

New players: Julia Marty (Reinach, reaktiviert), Andrea Brändli (Winterthur), Sydney Berta (Meyrin), Jade Dübi (Red Ice), Florence Marchon (St-Imier), Amélie Jobin (Fribourg), Yaël Brich (Laufen), Ophélie Jollien (Fribourg), Aline Graf (Laufen), Cindy Joray (reaktiviert).

Players who left: Alison Pankowski (USA), Mary-Jo Fortin (CAN), Meryl Vaucher (Retirement), Kaleigh Quennec (Loomis Chaffee, USA), Mathilde Bopp (Retirement), Mariko Dale (Reinach), Melissa Uttinger (Fribourg).

SC Reinach

Coach: Melanie Häfliger (SUI, new)

Imports: Nataliya Kozachuk (UKR, new).

New players: Mariko Dale (Neuchâtel Hockey Academy), Nicole Gubler (ZSC Lions, reaktiviert), Nathalie Roth (Argovia Stars, reaktiviert), Michèle Käppeli (Wohlen-Freiamt, reaktiviert), Martina Bucher (Argovia Stars/Wohlen Freiamt), Lia Egger (Wohlen-Freiamt), Sara Kobza (Luzern), Stefanie Humbel (GCK Lions).

Players who left: Claudia Riechsteiner (Retirement), Simona Studentova (?), Katerina Flachsova (?), Roxanne Kis, Natascha Brunner (both Weinfelden), Jil Aschwanden (?), Sina Bachmann (Dragon Thun), Stefanie Greger, Delia Häcki (both Retirement).

SC Weinfelden

Coach: Daniel Zbinden (SUI)

Imports: Jennifer Richter, Tanja Krause (both GER, new), Henrikka Jaatinen (FIN, new), Andrea Kiss (HUN, ), Nikolett Farkas (HUN, new).

New players: Laura Trachsel (University of British Columbia, CAN), Jennifer Richter, Tanja Krause (both Mad Dogs Mannheim), Henrikka Jaatinen (Kalpa Junior), Nikolett Farkas (KMH Budapest), Claudia Cantamessi (Lugano), Natascha Stejskal (Shaftesbury Titans, CAN), Natascha Brunner (Reinach/Weinfelden Novizen), Roxanne Kis (Reinach/EVDN), Lucie Wimber (Winterthur), Laura Zimmermann (Unterseen), Alissa Herzog (Winterthur), Sinja Leemann (Rapperswil), Florence Schindler (Fribourg), Jasmin Gischig (Bassersdorf).

Players who left: Rahel Michielin (St. Thomas University, CAN), Tifani Horvath (Budapest), Angela Ulmann (Kreuzlingen-Konstanz), Isabelle Hugentobler, Carmen Ruh (both C-Team), Melanie Kistner (Kreuzlingen-Konstanz), Noemi Fritz, Delia Fritz, Elena Giannone (Eisbären), Sarina Bardill (Wil), Melina Landis (?).

ZSC Lions

Coachin: Christof Amsler (SUI, new).

Imports: Carol Baldin (FRA, ), Angela Taylor (GBR, ), Eva Beiter-Schwärzler (AUT ).

New players: Nicole Gass (Colgate University, USA, Double citizen), Christy Blackburn (Thompson-Okanagan Lakers, CAN, Double citizen), Laura De Bastiani (GCK Lions).

Players who left: Livia Altmann (Colgate University, USA), Angela Frautschi (Retirement, Assistenzcoachin), Kirsti Hakala (Retirement), Nicole Gubler (Reinach), Isabelle Michel (GCK Lions).