For the four-nation tournament from December 12 to 15 in Fribourg, national coach Patrick Fischer will be fielding 24 players, including returnee Grégory Hofmann.
04.12.2024, 13:49
04.12.2024, 14:08
SDA
Hofmann suffered a foot injury during the Euro Hockey Tour in Sweden in February, which meant the end of the season for him after an operation. Now the former NHL forward in the service of EV Zug will return to the Swiss senior national team at the home tournament in Fribourg against the Czech Republic, Finland and Sweden.
Hofmann joins a squad with plenty of international experience. The two goalkeepers Stéphane Charlin (SCL Tigers) and Ludovic Waeber (Kloten) have seven and five international games respectively. Ten players already took part in the Karjala Cup in Finland in mid-November, including the ZSC quartet of Sven Andrighetto, Denis Malgin, Dean Kukan and Christian Marti.
"We not only want to continue to develop athletically and build on our performances at the Karjala Cup, but also give something back to the fans for their support - commitment, passion and team spirit," says Patrick Fischer in the association's press release. At the first tournament of the season, Switzerland achieved a long-awaited victory against fearsome opponents Sweden in November after 16 consecutive defeats. After a narrow defeat against hosts Finland and losing the rematch of the World Championship final against the Czech Republic, the result was 3rd place.
Sweden is Switzerland's opening opponent at the home tournament on Thursday, December 12, at 7.45 pm. The game against world champions the Czech Republic follows on Saturday evening (18:00), and the Swiss will face Finland on Sunday afternoon.
