Tag: SC Bern

SC Bern reportedly rule out Ivan Morozov interest

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

SC Bern are reportedly not pursuing Russian forward Ivan Morozov, despite an earlier suggestion that the National League club might examine a move for the 26-year-old.

Morozov is currently without a team and therefore available on the market, although Spartak Moskva still hold his rights. Sources close to SC Bern’s inner circle have indicated that he is not an option for the Bern club.

Morozov played 44 games for Spartak last season, scoring 11 goals and adding 17 assists. He had previously served a one-month suspension in August 2025 for a doping violation involving cocaine consumption, before finishing the season with the KHL side.

Key Facts

  • Ivan Morozov, 26, is reportedly not an option for SC Bern, according to sources close to the club’s inner circle.
  • The Russian forward is currently without a team, while Spartak Moskva retain his rights.
  • Morozov recorded 11 goals and 17 assists in 44 games for Spartak Moskva last season.
  • He served a one-month suspension in August 2025 for a doping violation involving cocaine consumption, then completed the season with Spartak.

IHM Discussion

The report closes off a possible National League destination for Morozov rather than confirming a move elsewhere.

For SC Bern, the significant point is that internal sources have indicated Morozov is not being considered. There is no stated alternative target or further roster action connected to that position.

Why It Matters

Morozov had been linked with a potential move to Bern while without a team. The reported lack of interest from SC Bern removes that particular possibility, while leaving his wider contractual situation and next destination unresolved.

SC Bern bring Nic Balestra in ahead of schedule

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

SC Bern have completed the immediate transfer of Nic Balestra from EV Zug, bringing the 21-year-old defenceman to the Bears earlier than planned.

Balestra had been due to join SC Bern next season under a three-year agreement announced in mid-September. The clubs have now agreed to accelerate that move, while his existing contract with EV Zug has been dissolved. He has already trained with his new team.

Key Facts

  • Nic Balestra, 21, has joined SC Bern from EV Zug with immediate effect.
  • SC Bern and EV Zug agreed the transfer, and Balestra’s EV Zug contract has been dissolved.
  • The defenceman had originally signed a three-year SC Bern contract scheduled to begin next season.
  • Balestra has already taken part in training with SC Bern.
  • He had received limited ice time this season and was scratched for all of EV Zug’s National League games.

IHM Discussion

The accelerated switch changes the timing of a move that was already settled for next season. Rather than waiting for the three-year Bern contract to begin, Balestra can now begin working within SC Bern’s environment immediately.

For EV Zug, the agreement ends Balestra’s current contractual situation after a season in which he had not featured in a National League game. For SC Bern, it gives the club an earlier opportunity to integrate a young defenceman they had already committed to signing.

Why It Matters

This is not a new signing for SC Bern, but an earlier start to an existing agreement. The key development is that Balestra is now available to train with Bern straight away after his EV Zug deal was ended by mutual club agreement.

SC Bern’s Baumgartner sidelined for around four weeks

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

SC Bern will be without assistant captain Benjamin Baumgartner for about four weeks after the Austrian forward suffered an upper-body injury in the game against HC Davos. Baumgartner missed SC Bern’s next outing, against EHC Kloten, and had appeared in two games this season for the Bears, recording one goal and one assist.

Key Facts

  • Benjamin Baumgartner is an Austrian forward and an assistant captain of SC Bern.
  • Baumgartner suffered an upper-body injury in the game against HC Davos.
  • He missed SC Bern’s subsequent game against EHC Kloten.
  • SC Bern expect his absence to last about four weeks (roughly one month).
  • Baumgartner has appeared in two games for SC Bern this season, with one goal and one assist reported.

IHM Discussion

Baumgartner’s absence removes an assistant captain from SC Bern’s forward group for around a month. With only two appearances this season, the immediate focus will be on covering his place in the line-up while he recovers from the upper-body injury.

Why It Matters

A four-week absence leaves SC Bern to manage without Baumgartner through several fixtures. It also interrupts the Austrian forward’s early-season run after one goal and one assist in two games.

Mini Q&A

Who is injured?

Benjamin Baumgartner, an Austrian forward and assistant captain of SC Bern.

What is the nature and timing of the injury?

The injury is described as an upper-body injury sustained in the game against HC Davos; Baumgartner missed the subsequent match against EHC Kloten.

How long is he expected to be out?

SC Bern expect Baumgartner to be out for about four weeks, or roughly one month.

What Comes Next

Baumgartner is expected to miss about four weeks as SC Bern manage his return from the upper-body injury.

SC Bern signs Zug defender Nic Balestra on three-year deal

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

SC Bern have announced the signing of Nic Balestra to a three-year deal. The 21-year-old defenseman, currently an EV Zug player, is set to join Bern next season after coming through Zug’s youth ranks. Balestra made his National League debut in 2023-24 and has since added further first-team appearances.

Key Facts

  • SC Bern have signed Nic Balestra to a three-year deal.
  • Balestra is currently a member of EV Zug and will join Bern next season.
  • The player is described as a 21-year-old defenseman.
  • Balestra spent most of his youth within EV Zug’s organisation.
  • He made his debut for Zug’s main squad in the 2023-24 season with twelve appearances that season.
  • Reportedly, 52 more appearances have followed since his debut.

IHM Discussion

The move brings a young domestic defender to SC Bern on a three-year commitment. Balestra’s background includes most of his youth career in Zug’s organisation and a gradual introduction to senior hockey: 12 appearances in 2023-24 followed by 52 more. For Bern, he adds a 21-year-old blue-liner with National League experience, while Zug lose a player developed within their youth system.

Why It Matters

This is an intra-league move that takes a young defender from EV Zug to SC Bern. The three-year deal gives Bern a longer-term addition on the blue line, while Balestra will leave the organisation where he spent most of his youth career. His next role and usage in Bern will become clearer next season.

Waltteri Merelä named SC Bern captain for 2026-27

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

SC Bern have appointed Waltteri Merelä as their new captain for the 2026-27 National League season after Ramon Untersander is no longer part of the Bears. Merelä, who has served on the club’s leadership group for the past two seasons, will don the captaincy for the first time in SC Bern’s upcoming game against EHC Biel. He will be supported by assistants Benjamin Baumgartner, Alain Graf and Marc Marchon; Marchon remains from last season’s leadership team while Baumgartner and Graf take on new responsibilities.

Key Facts

  • Ramon Untersander is no longer part of SC Bern.
  • Waltteri Merelä has been promoted to captain for the 2026-27 season.
  • Merelä has been part of SC Bern’s leadership team for the past two seasons.
  • Merelä will play his first game as captain this week against EHC Biel.
  • Merelä’s assistants will be Benjamin Baumgartner, Alain Graf and Marc Marchon.
  • Marc Marchon was part of the leadership team last season; Benjamin Baumgartner and Alain Graf will assume leadership duties this season.

IHM Discussion

The club’s choice to elevate Waltteri Merelä formalises a leadership change following Ramon Untersander’s departure. Promoting a player already embedded in the leadership group offers continuity as Merelä moves into the captaincy.

The appointment also spreads responsibility across a broader group. Naming three assistants retains experience through Marc Marchon, who remains from last season’s leadership team, while Benjamin Baumgartner and Alain Graf take on their new duties.

Merelä’s first match as captain comes this week against EHC Biel, providing the new leadership group with an immediate opportunity to settle into its on-ice responsibilities.

Why It Matters

Captaincy is not merely ceremonial: the captain is the club’s visible leader during games and a key figure in the dressing-room dynamic. By promoting from within, SC Bern retain continuity following Untersander’s departure. Keeping Marchon in the leadership group preserves experience, while the appointments of Baumgartner and Graf bring new voices into the group.

The change clarifies the leadership structure for coaches and teammates. For supporters, it provides an early indication of how SC Bern will be led when Merelä makes his captaincy debut against EHC Biel this week.