ZSC sporting director Sven Leuenberger reveals his master recipe

ZSC sports director Sven Leuenberger has won 11 championships in his career. In “Roost/Röthlisberger – Hockey Talk” he revealed his recipe.

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Few people in Swiss ice hockey understand what it takes to be a champion as clearly as Sven Leuenberger. The sporting director of ZSC Lions has celebrated this title eleven times – four times as an SCB player and seven times as an official of Bern and ZSC. “But I always have a huge team behind me: the coach, the coaching staff, the whole organization,” he explained his success in the latest episode of the CH Media podcast “Hockey-Talk,” hosted by Thomas Roost and Matthias Röthlisberger.

The most recent championship – last spring with the ZSC Lions – was very good and important, good for him and everyone at Zurich. “For the first time we are able to move into our own home stadium. This title takes some pressure off us and allows us to do justice to the stadium and our reputation.”

But what does it actually take for a team to become champions? Leuenberger reveals: Hierarchy must be a well-oiled cog:

Outsiders can only see the work of the team's athletic director and coach. However, it is important to him that the entire organization supports the same philosophy and DNA. “If you want to be a champion, this is what you need.”

The ZSC sports director realizes that stars are needed on the ice too. Like everything in life, people at the top have to succeed. But they cannot become masters alone. Leuenberg said:

These are things you have to pay attention to as an athletic director, not just the players who end up getting the praise. Furthermore, the 55-year-old explained that celebrity approval is very important when it comes to the main course. “My picture from last season is of Dennis Malkin, our superstar, still sitting on the bench after getting injured in Game 7 of the finals.” He had never seen a forward cheering others on like this before. “But he wanted the title so bad.” Leuenberger was convinced that many other stars would disappear into the dressing room because of self-consciousness.

Dennis Malkin was injured early in Game 7 of last year's playoff finals. Still, he stayed on the bench to cheer on his teammates.Image: trapezoid

He builds a team from back to front: “You need a top goalkeeper and four good defenders. And then a strong central axis.” Then it's about being aware of the problem areas and if those problem areas become Obviously, don't get nervous.

Many of the ZSC Lions' stars – Denis Malgin, Sven Andrighetto and Dean Kukan – are homegrown players and NHL returners. Leuenberg is convinced that this is no coincidence: “You only return to an organization when you feel comfortable.” This has been the case since the days of Simon Schenk, ZSC's sporting director from 1997 to 2007 DNA has been present in Zurich for a long time.

“We are always accused of having the most expensive squad, but I still don't believe that,” the sporting director said. He firmly believes that lions have the best masters.

At many other clubs, only the first team are rewarded. This reflects the attitude of the ZSC family: “You don’t just talk about being a family, you also live as a family.”

The ZSC family hopes to repeat as champions this year in the domestic league and the Champions Hockey League. “We've said internally that we very much want both games to be enjoyed. We remain fully committed to both leagues at the moment and as long as that's the case, we can dream.”

You can find the sixth episode of “Roost/Röthlisberger – Hockey Talk” here or wherever podcasts are available, featuring a preview of the new National League season and the entire conversation with Sven Leuenberger.

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