Dominik Egli playing against Sweden at the home tournament in Zurich
Image: Keystone
Dominik Egli hopes to make the Olympic squad
Image: Keystone
At last week's four-nation tournament, Egli was able to make his mark on the power play
Image: Keystone
As an offensive defenseman, Egli likes to play with the puck
Image: Keystone
In spring, Egli was part of the Swiss World Championship silver medal team. In 3 games he scored two goals and one assist
Image: Keystone
For the upcoming season, Egli will return to HC Davos, for whom he already played from 2021 to 2024
Image: Keystone
Dominik Egli playing against Sweden at the home tournament in Zurich
Image: Keystone
Dominik Egli hopes to make the Olympic squad
Image: Keystone
At last week's four-nation tournament, Egli was able to make his mark on the power play
Image: Keystone
As an offensive defenseman, Egli likes to play with the puck
Image: Keystone
In spring, Egli was part of the Swiss World Championship silver medal team. In 3 games he scored two goals and one assist
Image: Keystone
For the upcoming season, Egli will return to HC Davos, for whom he already played from 2021 to 2024
Image: Keystone
Between a Swedish maturity test, returning home to Davos and the dream of the Olympic Games in Milan: national defenseman Dominik Egli is currently experiencing an exciting time in ice hockey.
18.12.2025, 05:01
18.12.2025, 08:26
SDA
Last week's Euro Hockey Tour home tournament in Zurich was more than just another outing in the Swiss national team jersey for Dominik Egli. It was possibly the last opportunity to push himself towards a very big goal: the Olympic Games in Milan in February. "I can't influence it any further than that," says the 27-year-old defender soberly after the tournament. "I was able to show my performance, now it's up to the coaching staff."
Egli knows how tight it could be. National coach Patrick Fischer is likely to nominate eight defenders. The three NHL cracks are considered to be set, and if you include the regular World Championship participants Andrea Glauser, Dean Kukan, Christian Marti and Michael Fora, only one spot remains open.
Egli himself also has tournament experience. He celebrated his World Championship debut in 2022 and was part of the World Championship silver medal team last spring, making three appearances. The question now is: what type of player is Fischer relying on? Another strong source of inspiration? With his qualities in the powerplay, Egli would certainly have a good chance. Or rather a defensive stability factor? In this case, others would probably have the edge, even if Egli has made progress in this respect.
When the head doesn't cooperate
For a long time, it was not certain that Egli would even be able to play in the four-nation tournament in Zurich. At the end of October, he unfortunately hit his head on the ice twice within a week. Once after a scuffle that he "didn't want to get into" and once after a collision with a teammate. The diagnosis: concussion. This was followed by a break of almost four weeks, and he missed the national team's first training session in November.
"It's always difficult with head injuries like that," says Egli looking back. "You question a lot: are the symptoms still coming from that or is it something else?" But his return to the ice was impressive. At Frölunda Göteborg, he immediately resumed his role as an offensive fixture. Since moving to the traditional Swedish club and record Champions Hockey League winners, he has been defending on the first line alongside Henrik Tömmernes, who was the best defensive all-rounder in the National League for years before returning home to Servette.
With currently two goals and eleven assists in 19 championship games, Egli is the team's second most productive defenseman behind Tömmernes. Frölunda is the clear leader in the SHL after half of the qualifiers - and this in a year of upheaval.
Out of the comfort zone
After twelve successful years, head coach Roger Rönnberg left the club for Fribourg-Gottéron in Switzerland, of all places. Frölunda had to reinvent itself to some extent. But the change has been successful. "Things are going really well at the moment," says Egli. "We have a great team, we're currently in first place and everyone is confident that we can continue like this." After the semi-final exit in the last play-offs, the aim is to win the championship title this season.
Egli himself has become a real key player, both on and off the ice. He has not only developed athletically in Sweden, but also personally. "The experience of living in another country, being out of your comfort zone and getting to know a new culture and language broadens your horizons," says the native of Eastern Switzerland, who now speaks Swedish. Egli lives with his fiancée not far from the city center in Gothenburg, and their wedding is planned for next summer.
In Switzerland, Egli has long been regarded as one of the best attacking defenders. But that wasn't enough for him. "I wanted to be more than just a good attacking defender," he says. The Swedish league, with its more structured, tighter game, forced him to work on his deficits: One-on-one behavior, playing without the puck, defensive details.
"The field hockey is tighter, less open than in Switzerland," explains Egli. "That was perfect for me because it meant I had to work on my weaknesses." At 1.74 meters, he is one of the shorter defenders, which is a major challenge, especially in international business. Intelligence, anticipation and positioning are therefore all the more important for him.
Return to Davos
He wants to bring the maturity he gained in Sweden back to Switzerland in the future. Dominik Egli will return to HC Davos next season. The Swiss record champions are also the clear leaders in the National League, and "Mission 32" - winning their 32nd title - is alive and well. Egli signed a long-term contract valid for seven seasons - a clear commitment from the Thurgau native, who already wore the HCD jersey for three years before his move to Sweden.
"It was a gut decision," he says of his impending return. "I felt very comfortable in Davos and see the path the club is now taking." HCD was not the only option. He had talks with several teams in the summer, says Egli, but Davos was the best overall solution for him. "Something is growing together there. I'm looking forward to playing my part in it from next season."
The really big stage
By moving to Frölunda, he wanted to get one step closer to his big dream of playing in the NHL. Has the subject of North America now been shelved? Egli says no. "As long as I'm playing field hockey, there's a chance. But we have to be realistic, at some point it will get smaller."
This is precisely why the Olympic Games, with their many NHL stars, are so important. "It's probably the best platform you'll ever get," he says. "You play against the best in the world there."
Whether Egli gets to prove himself against the big names in ice hockey is now in the hands of national coach Patrick Fischer, who has to name his Olympic squad by the end of the year. Until then, Egli still has a few games left at the club to promote his own cause.
