Yannick was humiliated in the 3rd class: the unequal brothers Josi

However, there have been times when Yannick has been a more reliable defensive force than the current NHL superstar. “In the late 1990s we took part in a school tournament with the SCB in Rosenheim, Germany,” Roman recalls. “Yannick and I formed a defensive duo and didn’t concede a goal until I fell over while running backwards in possession in the final!” Yannick describes the unpleasant ending of this scene from Josi’s perspective: “After Roman fell, an opposing attacker grabbed the goal and didn’t give our goalkeeper a chance to defend.”

“Ice training in the summer is like a punishment”

As is known, Roman has drawn the right conclusions from this great achievement: he has since been named to the NHL All-Star team four times and in 2020, Giel from the Bernese suburb of Ostermundigen received the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the best NHL defender.

His older brother was once also seen by the coaches as someone with great potential. “But I lacked the courage to pursue a career as a professional ice hockey player,” Yannick admits. «During the crucial phase of development between the ages of 15 and 18, I suddenly had other interests. While Roman always focused on ice hockey, for me it was more of a punishment if I had to train on the ice in the summer.”

Trash talk in the minor leagues

That’s why Yannick never got further than the third Swiss competition. Especially during his time at HC Bern Altstadt, he had to endure a lot at away games because of his successful brother: “At a match in the Emmental, there were about 30 spectators in the stands who shouted quite primitively every time I did something. . And certain opponents wanted to provoke me by calling me the completely untalented brother of big Josi. But I had quite a bit of fun with it. Especially when those same trash talkers asked me after the match if I could get them a signed shirt from Roman.

Despite such humiliations, he never lost confidence in himself. “Yannick always dreams big, which I think is very cool, especially because he works very hard for his professional dreams,” praises Roman.

Roman pushes a barrel into Yannick’s torture chamber

Yannick recently opened a very special fitness center in the Berner Weltpost. Josi’s “torture chamber” is where the Aurum training is practiced, which is designed so that clients receive all the benefits of strength and interval training in just six minutes per week. The famous brother tested this method in early August. Roman’s conclusion: “That was really intense. Normally my training lasts about an hour and a half. But my brother’s six-minute workout was so intense that I was as tired afterwards as after a long session.”

When evaluating Roman’s rapid test, Yannick is completely shocked! Why? «Roman’s legs are really incredibly strong. In this test he pushed a ton at the maximum range. This is crazy!” But there’s something that impresses Yannick even more about Roman: “Despite his meteoric career, he remains completely down-to-earth. Roman is truly one of the sweetest people around.” When I need him, he is always there for me.” However, Yannick’s ambition is so strong that he wants to start as an entrepreneur without the financial support of his brother (annual salary: nine million dollars).