EVZ Academy

Lore & Background

EVZ Academy was founded with the purpose of serving as an affiliate club to shareholder and National League club EV Zug. The club name derived from Zug's junior program 'The Hockey Academy.' They submitted an application to play in the National League B and were permitted to play in the 2016–17 season. In their debut season, EVZ Academy collected just 10 wins in 48 games to finish in 10th place. In the 2018–19 season, Jason O'Leary replaced inaugural head coach Stefan Hedlund, who was promoted to EV Zug's coaching staff. O'Leary, who had won the Swiss League in 2017 with SC Langenthal, led Academy to their second playoff berth, claiming 8th position before losing to regular season champions HC La Chaux-de-Fonds. At the conclusion of the season, O'Leary left to coach top flight DEL club Iserlohn Roosters, and he was replaced by Roger Hansson, as Academy's third head coach. After the 2021–22 season, EVZ Academy was dissolved, as EV Zug could not comply with the new regulations of the Swiss League AG and thus withdrew it. In the future, the EVZ will focus mainly on the U16 to U20 range.

Reader's Guide

EVZ Academy's significance lies in its role as a development affiliate for EV Zug, bridging the gap between junior hockey and the top-tier National League. The club was founded specifically to serve as a farm team, using the name and structure of Zug's junior program. Over its six seasons, the Academy provided a pathway for young players, releasing 50 players by 2022, of whom 16 played in the National League in the 2021/22 season and another 22 played for other Swiss League teams. This output demonstrates its effectiveness in player development. The club's dissolution after the 2021–22 season came because EV Zug could not comply with new regulations of the Swiss League AG, leading to a strategic shift toward focusing on U16 to U20 age groups. The Academy's legacy includes two playoff appearances, with their best finish being 8th place in the 2018–19 season under Jason O'Leary, who had previously won the Swiss League with SC Langenthal. The team played home games at Zug's training rink, Academy Arena, and occasionally at Bossard Arena, home to EV Zug.

Did You Know?

• EVZ Academy played its home games at the Academy Arena and occasionally at Bossard Arena.
• Jason O'Leary replaced inaugural head coach Stefan Hedlund for the 2018–19 season.
• By 2022, EVZ Academy had released 50 players, 16 of whom played in the National League in the 2021/22 season.