
The ZSC Lions have been named Team of the Year at the "European Hockey Awards" in Prague.
The Swiss champions beat Brynäs Gävle, Eisbären Berlin, Dynamo Pardubice and SaiPa Lappeenranta in the vote.
As the Alliance of European Hockey Clubs, the leading organization for club ice hockey in Europe, writes on its website, several aspects spoke in favour of the Zurich team as the winner. The Lions won the Champions Hockey League last season and defended their title in the National League. The club also became Swiss champions at U20, U17 and U15 level.
Several players from the National League were among the finalists in the individual categories. Marco Bayer (ZSC Lions) was among the five nominees in the "Coach of the Year" category, while Kevin Pasche (Lausanne HC) and Vinzenz Rohrer (ZSC Lions) were nominated in the "Young Player" category.
Fredi Pargätzi, who chaired the organizing committee of the Spengler Cup for 25 years and is still responsible for acquiring the teams, won the EHC Leadership Award for leadership qualities.