Four requests for promotions – one of which was for “training purposes only”

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Four clubs from the Swiss League have submitted applications for promotion: Oiten, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Visp and now Scheer.

Explosive: Unlike a year ago, La Chaux-de-Fonds are allowed promotion but must play all home games in Neuchâtel during the league qualifying period and throughout next season if promoted Contest.

Anyone wanting to upgrade from the Swiss League to the National League must submit an application for promotion and pay a fee of 20,000 francs. If the request is denied, the money will be refunded. If you are granted promotion, the 20,000 francs will be lost.

If they win the Swiss League title, Olten and Visp will be allowed to participate in home league qualifying matches against the knockout losers of the highest division, and also play in the National League at their own stadiums if promoted. However, Olten had zero chance of progressing in sports, and at Visp it was really only theoretical. Visp is used to talking about promotion and living a comfortable life in the second division.

Unlike last season, La Chaux-de-Fonds will be approved for promotion. But there was an explosive condition: home games during the league qualifiers and throughout next season after promotion must be played in Neuchâtel. The Hockey Temple “Patinoire du Littoral” (on the coast) is located on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel and has a capacity of 6,500 spectators, fully meeting the requirements of the new era.

Das Eishockeystadion coastal ice rink.Image: trapezoid

HC La Chaux-de-Fonds are no longer allowed to play league qualifiers and Nations League matches at their own stadium. A new construction project has been launched. But in fact, defeating it in Neuchâtel is not a problem. or? If you like, you can also ask the question: Why spend millions of dollars to build a stadium in Rashad when there is already a hockey stadium nearly 20 minutes away from Neuchâtel? The answer is simple: the cultural contrast between the “peasants” of La Chaux-de-Fonds and the “aristocrats” of Neuchâtel is deeply rooted in the DNA of the canton in all areas of life.

If La Chaux-de-Fonds wins the Swiss League title and plays a league qualifier against Ajou in Neuchâtel, the people of Neuchâtel will make a pilgrimage to this beautiful stadium to support Ajou.

HC Sierre also submitted a request for promotion. People have been thinking big since Chris McSorley took over the club at Shell and spearheaded the new building project. In fact, Scheer cannot be ruled out winning the Swiss League title. However, the request will be denied. Because this stadium is not suitable for the top league in every aspect.

Why would Scheer make a hopeless request? This is a smart move. Chris McSorley said: “We knew we were not going to get permission for promotion. But by submitting an application we could understand what was needed and we could also incorporate that information into planning for the new venue.”

If the city council agrees on December 11, the new stadium will be built in 2029 and HC Sierre plans to return to the top flight. Sierre doesn't even lose any money on “test requests”: if the promotional request is rejected, the money is refunded.

So it's clear: only Rashaad Fonds, Visp or Olten will win the Swiss League to qualify. If Basel shakes up the league – which is entirely possible – they won't qualify for the league for the second time in a row. Basel did not submit an application, much to the chagrin of sporting director Kevin Schläpfer. It's crazy: in one of the richest cities in the world, management don't think they can fund a top-flight team.

The Swiss quartet proved accurate Thursday night in the NHL. Nico Hischier, Timo Meyer, Nino Niederreiter and Kevin Fiala were among the scorers.

Nico Hischier, 1 goal, 2 assists, 2 shots, 3 blocks, 1 check, 20:29 TOI
Timo Meier, 1 goal, 3 shots, 1 check, 15:17 TOI
Jonas Siegenthaler, 2 blocks, 20:17 TOI
Pius Suter, 2 shots, 1 check, 3:36 PM TOI