Tag: HC Lugano

Santeri Alatalo hopes to extend his stay with HC Lugano

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Santeri Alatalo, the 36-year-old HC Lugano defenceman, says he would like to continue his career with the club. With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Alatalo said: ” My first choice is to stay here. I still want to play hockey; I feel good and I’m having fun.” He also expressed optimism about Lugano’s direction: ” I think something good is taking shape in Lugano, and I want to keep going.”

Key Facts

  • Santeri Alatalo is a 36-year-old defenceman.
  • Alatalo’s contract with HC Lugano is set to expire at the end of the season.
  • Alatalo says he would prefer to remain with HC Lugano.
  • Quote from Alatalo: ” My first choice is to stay here. I still want to play hockey; I feel good and I’m having fun.”
  • Quote from Alatalo: ” I think something good is taking shape in Lugano, and I want to keep going.”
  • Alatalo joined HC Lugano in 2021 after earlier stints with HC Davos and EV Zug.
  • He has appeared in two games this season and has yet to record his first point.

IHM Discussion

Alatalo’s comments are straightforward: he wants to continue playing and would prefer to do so at HC Lugano. No extension or negotiation details have been announced. At 36, Alatalo brings veteran experience, while his arrival in Lugano in 2021 and earlier spells with HC Davos and EV Zug underline his National League background.

Why It Matters

Alatalo’s position provides clarity on his preference as his contract approaches its expiry at the end of the season. Retaining an experienced defenceman would offer Lugano continuity and depth, while the player has made clear that he intends to continue his career.

Calvin Thürkauf retained as HC Lugano captain for 2026-27

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

HC Lugano have confirmed the club’s leadership group for the 2026-27 National League season. Calvin Thürkauf will continue as captain after serving in the role for the past four seasons. He will be supported by Luca Fazzini and Santeri Alatalo, both named as assistant captains who will wear the “A” on their jerseys next season. For Fazzini this appointment marks a second season as an assistant captain. Santeri Alatalo returns to a more responsible role after a one-year hiatus from that level of club leadership. The club described the group as a blend of long-serving team members and experience.

Key Facts

  • Calvin Thürkauf will remain captain of HC Lugano for the 2026-27 season.
  • Thürkauf has served as HC Lugano captain for the past four seasons.
  • Luca Fazzini and Santeri Alatalo have been named assistant captains and will wear the “A” next season.
  • This will be Fazzini’s second season as an assistant captain.
  • Santeri Alatalo returns to a leadership role after a one-year hiatus.
  • HC Lugano described the new leadership team as a mix of long-serving players and experience.
  • The announcement applies to the National League 2026-27 season.

IHM Discussion

The decision to keep Calvin Thürkauf as captain keeps a clear thread of continuity through HC Lugano’s dressing room. Four seasons in the role make Thürkauf an established figurehead for teammates and staff alike; retaining him signals the club’s preference for a stable leadership core as it enters the new campaign. Luca Fazzini’s second season as an assistant captain gives Thürkauf an established supporting voice within the player group.

Santeri Alatalo’s return to a leadership role after a one-year hiatus adds experience to the trio. Lugano described the group as a mix of players who have been with the team for a long time and experience, pointing to continuity and institutional knowledge. That combination can help shape daily standards in practice and the dressing-room response to challenging stretches during the season.

Why It Matters

Leadership appointments matter beyond the captain’s armband: they establish lines of responsibility inside the squad and set behavioural standards. By confirming Thürkauf, Fazzini and Alatalo, HC Lugano have outlined who will carry that responsibility publicly and privately. For players arriving or returning, a known leadership core clarifies where to look for guidance. For supporters, the announcement is an early signal of the club’s tone for the season – a preference for continuity and experienced stewardship.

Cyrill Henry sidelined with upper-body injury

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

HC Lugano have confirmed that 19-year-old forward Cyrill Henry will miss the start of the season after sustaining an upper-body injury. Last season Henry spent most of his time with Lugano’s U21 team, registering 27 points in 35 games, while appearing in 18 National League qualifying games (four points) and one playoff game (no points).

Key Facts

  • Cyrill Henry is a 19-year-old forward for HC Lugano.
  • He will miss the start of the season.
  • Henry is one of five HC Lugano players currently unavailable through injury.
  • With Lugano’s U21 team last season Henry recorded 27 points in 35 games.
  • For Lugano’s National League team last season he played 18 qualifying games (four points) and one playoff game (no points).

IHM Discussion

Henry’s week-to-week designation points to an absence of uncertain duration, with the immediate consequence being that he will miss the start of the season. His 27 points in 35 games for Lugano’s U21 side last season explain his opportunities with the National League squad, where he appeared in 18 qualifying games and one playoff game. With five players currently unavailable through injury, his absence further reduces Lugano’s early-season forward options.

Why It Matters

The absence delays Henry’s opportunity to build on last season’s U21 production and establish himself with Lugano’s National League side. For Lugano, having five players unavailable through injury adds to the early-season challenge, while Henry’s week-to-week status leaves the timing of his return open.

Lugano medical report: Brian Zanetti week-to-week with upper-body injury

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

The club says Zanetti is one of several players currently unavailable as Lugano prepares for the season: defenceman David Aebischer and forwards Calvin Thürkauf and Ramon Tanner have been sidelined since the end of last week and are listed as day-to-day. Aebischer and Thürkauf have lower-body injuries, while Tanner has an upper-body injury. Forward Dario Simion has been out since early August and is being re-evaluated week to week after suffering an upper-body injury.

Key Facts

  • Brian Zanetti, 23, is listed as ” week-to-week” in HC Lugano‘s medical report with an upper-body injury.
  • David Aebischer, a defenceman, is sidelined with a lower-body injury and listed as ” day-to-day”.
  • Forwards Calvin Thürkauf and Ramon Tanner are both listed as ” day-to-day”; Thürkauf has a lower-body injury and Tanner an upper-body injury.
  • All three day-to-day absences (Aebischer, Thürkauf and Tanner) have been in place since the end of last week, according to the club report.
  • Forward Dario Simion has been out of action since early August with an upper-body injury and has missed all pre-season games so far; his condition is being re-evaluated on a week-to-week basis.
  • HC Lugano issued the medical report.

IHM Discussion

Lugano’s report confirms a cluster of injuries affecting both defence and the forward group at a delicate point in the calendar. Zanetti’s week-to-week status places a young defenceman on an indeterminate short-term absence, while the trio of day-to-day listings suggests the club expects shorter recoveries for Aebischer, Thürkauf and Tanner. Simion’s situation is the most prolonged: sidelined since early August, he has missed all pre-season matches and is under rolling reassessment. That combination of uncertainties leaves the Bianconeri managing availability across multiple lines as they finalise preparations ahead of competitive play.

Why It Matters

Availability through the run-in to the season matters for match fitness and tactical preparation. Missing a 23-year-old defenceman like Zanetti and a forward who has missed pre-season games reduces coaches’ options for settling pairings and line combinations in training and pre-season friendlies.