Tag: EHC Kloten

Kloten extend Noah Delémont through 2028-29

Story Summary

EHC Kloten have extended the contract of defenceman Noah Delémont for two years, securing the 24-year-old through to the end of the 2028-29 National League season.

Delémont has been with Kloten since 2025 and has made 11 appearances this season, registering one assist. Before joining Kloten, he played for EHC Biel and had a brief spell with HC Fribourg-Gottéron.

Kloten sports director Ricardo Schödler praised Delémont’s progress and his ability on the puck, saying the club were pleased to continue working with him.

Key Facts

  • EHC Kloten have signed Noah Delémont to a two-year contract extension running until the end of the 2028-29 season.
  • Delémont is a 24-year-old defenceman who has played for Kloten since 2025.
  • He has played 11 games for Kloten this season and recorded one assist.
  • Before arriving at Kloten, Delémont played for EHC Biel and briefly for HC Fribourg-Gottéron.
  • Sports director Ricardo Schödler described Delémont as a smart player with strong skills on the puck.

IHM Discussion

The agreement gives Kloten continuity on their blue line by retaining a player who is still early in his time with the club. Delémont joined in 2025 and has continued to feature for the National League side this season.

Schödler’s comments place the emphasis on Delémont’s development since arriving in Kloten. The sports director highlighted both the defenceman’s decision-making and his puck skills, with the club making a longer-term commitment through 2028-29.

Why It Matters

For Kloten, the extension keeps an established member of the current defensive group under contract beyond the immediate season. Delémont’s 11 appearances and one assist provide the available snapshot of his contribution so far this term, while the deal gives the club certainty over his future through the end of 2028-29.

Joona Luoto signs with EHC Kloten until end of November

Story Summary

EHC Kloten have signed Finnish forward Joona Luoto on a short-term contract to cover for injury absences among the club’s imports. Luoto arrives effective immediately and is under contract until the end of November, with an option to extend his stay until the end of the season. Team manager Ricardo Schödler highlighted Luoto’s physical game, shot and net presence and suggested his previous National League experience will allow him to contribute straight away.

Key Facts

  • Joona Luoto has joined EHC Kloten on a contract running until the end of November, with an option to extend to the end of the season.
  • EHC Kloten currently has four of their six imports available; Brandon Gignac (elbow) and Pontus Åberg (upper body) are sidelined with injuries.
  • Luoto played 52 games for SC Bern in 2023-24, scoring 20 goals and adding 10 assists.
  • After his spell at SC Bern, Luoto joined HV71 in the SHL.
  • Prior to signing with Kloten he was without a team this season.
  • Team manager Ricardo Schödler said:” With Joona Luoto, we are getting a physically strong player who makes his presence felt, has a good shot, and is particularly strong around the net.”

IHM Discussion

The signing is a pragmatic, short-term response to an immediate roster shortfall among Kloten’s import players. With Brandon Gignac and Pontus Åberg unavailable through injury, Kloten have added a player who already knows the National League. Luoto’s 20 goals in 52 games for SC Bern in 2023-24 underline his scoring record at this level, while his subsequent spell with HV71 gave him further experience in the SHL.

A contract to the end of November, with an option through the season, gives Kloten cover for the current absences while retaining flexibility. Schödler highlighted Luoto’s physical presence, shot and work around the net, attributes that could help him settle quickly into the line-up.

Why It Matters

For Kloten, the addition strengthens forward depth while two imports are sidelined. For Luoto, it is an opportunity to return to the National League after beginning the season without a club; his previous record with SC Bern gives him a proven background in the competition.

Mini Q&A

How long is Joona Luoto’s contract with EHC Kloten?

Luoto is signed until the end of November, with an option to extend his contract until the end of the season.

Why did Kloten sign Luoto?

Kloten signed Luoto to compensate for injury-related absences among their imports; Brandon Gignac (elbow) and Pontus Åberg (upper body) are both sidelined, leaving only four of six imports available.

What recent experience does Luoto bring?

Luoto played 52 games for SC Bern in 2023-24, scoring 20 goals and 10 assists, then moved to HV71 in the SHL before spending this season without a team.

What did Kloten’s manager say about Luoto?

Team manager Ricardo Schödler said:” With Joona Luoto, we are getting a physically strong player who makes his presence felt, has a good shot, and is particularly strong around the net.”

What Comes Next

Contract checkpoint: Luoto’s deal runs until the end of November; the club holds an option to extend the contract until the end of the season, which will require a decision before or at that deadline.

EHC Kloten extend Rafael and Simon Meier through 2028-29

Story Summary

EHC Kloten have extended the contracts of twin forwards Rafael and Simon Meier until the end of the 2028-29 National League season. The pair’s previous deals would have expired in 2027. Rafael has been with Kloten since 2023, while Simon joined the club in 2025 after returning from North America. Both missed Kloten’s first game of the season against SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers because of injuries, and Simon is expected to be sidelined for five to six weeks after a practice injury. Kloten’s team manager said the twins came through the club’s system and are among the most promising talents of their generation.

Key Facts

  • EHC Kloten have extended the contracts of Rafael and Simon Meier until the end of the 2028-29 season.
  • Their previous contracts would have expired in 2027.
  • Rafael Meier has played with EHC Kloten since 2023.
  • Simon Meier joined EHC Kloten in 2025 after his return from North America.
  • Both forwards missed Kloten’s first game of the season against SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers because of injuries.
  • Simon Meier is expected to be out of the lineup for five to six weeks after sustaining an injury in practice.
  • Kloten’s team manager said the Meier twins came through the club’s system and are among the most promising talents of their generation.

IHM Discussion

Kloten have opted for continuity by extending both Meier brothers through 2028-29, a clear vote of confidence in two forwards the club identifies as products of its own system. With their previous deals due to expire in 2027, the extensions give Kloten greater certainty around two players it regards as promising talents. Simon’s five-to-six-week absence will reduce Kloten’s forward options in the coming weeks, but it does not alter the club’s long-term commitment to either player.

Why It Matters

For EHC Kloten, extending two forwards developed in the club’s system provides longer-term roster certainty. Simon’s injury creates a short-term selection issue, but both players are now under contract through the end of 2028-29.

Mini Q&A

Who signed contract extensions with EHC Kloten?

Twin forwards Rafael and Simon Meier.

How long do the new contracts run?

Both contracts run until the end of the 2028-29 season.

When would their previous deals have expired?

Their previous contracts would have expired in 2027.

How long has each player been with Kloten?

Rafael has been with Kloten since 2023; Simon joined in 2025 after returning from North America.

Are either of the Meier twins injured?

Both missed Kloten’s season opener due to injuries, and Simon is expected to be out for five to six weeks after a practice injury.

Who commented on the signings?

Kloten’s team manager praised the twins as players who came through the club’s system.

What Comes Next

Simon Meier is expected to be absent from Kloten’s lineup for five to six weeks after sustaining an injury in practice.

EHC Kloten begins talks with Meier twins and Bernd Wolf

Story Summary

EHC Kloten team manager Riccardo Schödler says the club has started contract negotiations with three players whose deals expire next spring: Simon Meier, Rafael Meier and Bernd Wolf. Schödler discussed the talks in an online Q&A for fans. The Meier twins have been with the Kloten organisation since their junior hockey days, while Wolf signed with the National League club in 2024.

Key Facts

  • Riccardo Schödler, team manager of EHC Kloten, said the club has begun negotiations with players on expiring contracts.
  • The players named were Simon Meier, Rafael Meier and Bernd Wolf.
  • All three players’ contracts expire next spring.
  • Schödler discussed the negotiations in an online Q&A for EHC Kloten fans.
  • Simon and Rafael Meier have been with EHC Kloten’s organisation since their junior hockey days.
  • Bernd Wolf signed with EHC Kloten in 2024.

IHM Discussion

The public acknowledgement of talks provides clarity around three forthcoming roster decisions. Retaining Simon and Rafael Meier would preserve continuity with players developed through Kloten’s junior system. Wolf, meanwhile, joined the National League club in 2024, making his situation a separate decision alongside the twins’ futures. The negotiations remain open until any new agreements are announced.

Why It Matters

For Kloten, addressing contracts that expire next spring is an important part of planning the next roster. The Meier twins offer a direct link to the club’s junior system, while Wolf’s situation concerns a player who joined in 2024. Starting discussions early gives the club time to assess each case before the contracts run down.

EHC Kloten to be without Dario Sidler for five weeks

Story Summary

EHC Kloten are expected to be without defenceman Dario Sidler for about five weeks. The nature of the 23-year-old’s injury has not been disclosed. Rafael and Simon Meier are also reported to be injured, with the extent of their injuries still being assessed. Simon Meier is on a two-year contract with EHC Kloten through the end of the 2026/27 season.

Key Facts

  • EHC Kloten are expected to be without defenceman Dario Sidler for about five weeks.
  • Dario Sidler is 23 years old.
  • The nature of Dario Sidler’s injury has not been disclosed.
  • Rafael and Simon Meier have also been reported injured; the extent of their injuries is still being assessed.
  • Simon Meier is Rafael Meier’s twin brother and is under a two-year contract with EHC Kloten through the end of the 2026/27 season.

IHM Discussion

Kloten’s reported five-week absence of Dario Sidler removes a young defensive option from the club’s National League roster. With the nature of his injury undisclosed, there is limited clarity beyond the expected length of his absence. The reports concerning Rafael and Simon Meier add further uncertainty over short-term squad availability.

A multi-week absence for a 23-year-old defenceman can require coaching staff to adjust pairings and distribute minutes differently across the blue line. The Meier twins’ situations remain under assessment, so the full impact on Kloten’s available personnel is not yet clear.

Why It Matters

The loss of a young defenceman for several weeks affects Kloten’s defensive depth and short-term rotation planning in the National League. With Sidler’s injury undisclosed and the Meier twins’ conditions still being assessed, the club faces uncertainty over available personnel and how it will cover minutes while maintaining its defensive structure.

EHC Kloten’s Brandon Gignac out for around 12 weeks

Story Summary

EHC Kloten has confirmed that Canadian forward Brandon Gignac has suffered an elbow injury that will keep him out of action for about twelve weeks. The 28-year-old was injured on his first day back on the ice after recovering from a separate lower-body problem sustained at the start of pre-season training. The club emphasised the two injuries are unrelated.

Key Facts

  • Brandon Gignac is a 28-year-old Canadian forward.
  • EHC Kloten reports Gignac sustained an elbow injury.
  • The club expects Gignac to be sidelined for about twelve weeks.
  • Gignac was injured on his first day back on the ice following a lower-body injury he sustained at the start of pre-season training.
  • EHC Kloten states the elbow injury and the earlier lower-body injury are unrelated.
  • Gignac has been with EHC Kloten since 2025.
  • Last season he played 26 games, scoring four goals and recording 16 assists.

IHM Discussion

Kloten will be without Gignac for about 12 weeks after an elbow injury suffered on his first day back on the ice. He played 26 games last season, producing four goals and 16 assists.

The club has stressed that the elbow injury is unrelated to the lower-body issue he sustained at the start of pre-season. His absence leaves Kloten to redistribute forward minutes while he recovers.

Why It Matters

Gignac’s absence reduces Kloten’s forward options for roughly 12 weeks. The club will need to cover his minutes while he recovers from the elbow injury.