BADEN, Switzerland – On January 28, 2009, the ZSC Lions Zurich became the first European club champion from Switzerland when they beat Russia’s Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the final of the Champions Hockey League. Now they received special honours on Wednesday at the award gala night of Swiss Ice Hockey in Baden.

The club president Walter Frey, head coach Sean Simpson and captain Mathias Seger received the Hockey Award which is given to personalities for their accomplishment in favour of Swiss hockey on international stage. Usually it’s given to coaches and players, and the competition was tough. Mark Streit, who led all New York Islanders players in scoring as a defenceman, and Jonas Hiller, who was Anaheim’s number-one goalkeeper despite having Jean-Sébastien Giguère as his team mate, were the other two nominees. And for the first time, a whole organization was nominated with the Lions.

“It’s a huge honour to receive this award,” said Simpson. “It reflects the situation we had when all Switzerland stood behind us and even the other Swiss clubs kept their fingers crossed.”

Lukas Flüeler, who shared ice time in the ZSC goal with Ari Sulander, received the Youngster of the Year award. The first season in the National League A earned the 20-year-old even a game with the national team.

“It is something very special to me and it’s a motivation for me to win the Goalie of the Year award another year,” Flüeler said. That award went to Ronnie Rüeger of the Kloten Flyers this year.

While the ZSC Lions could enjoy the honours for a night, they are preparing for the season and the Victoria Cup where the European champion faces the Chicago Blackhawks as the NHL challenger on September 29 in Zurich’s Hallenstadion (Click here for ZSC Lions vs. Chicago tickets). A game which is described as the greatest game in the club’s history by its CEO Peter Zahner.

Two players were announced to miss the game on Wednesday. CHL top scorer Adrian Wichser felt his old neck injury during the pre-season and will be sidelined for four to six weeks. Forward Alexei Krutov will be out for six to eight weeks due to a shoulder injury.

Swiss champion HC Davos – which will play against the Chicago Blackhawks as well, on September 28 in Zurich (Click here for Davos vs. Chicago tickets) – got an award too. Their forward Reto von Arx received the award as the Most Valuable Player of the 2008-2009 National League A season. He helped the team win the league with 22 goals and 32 assists in 65 games.

“I’m more proud of the championships than of the MVP awards I’ve got but I will accept it in the name of the team,” von Arx said.

Fredy Egli was honoured with the Special Award for his contributions. He helped the Swiss Ice Hockey Association to reconstruct its finances during his time as the association’s president from 2003 to 2009. Under his guidance as a club president from 1989 to 1999 he led EV Zug from a NLA newbie to the club’s only Swiss title in 1998.

MARTIN MERK