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Skylar Fontaine and Katie Cipra came to Zurich to finally win the first title of their careers – going the opposite way to many top Swiss players. The two Americans played college hockey for five years at Northeastern in Boston and were teammates with Alina Müller (24).
It was also the woman from Winterthur who made a commitment in Switzerland that was palatable to the two best friends. “Alina played for ZSC and we knew her family lived nearby, which was a big plus,” explains Fontaine, “and it also reassured our parents”.
The fact that the defender decided to switch to the Lionesses convinced Cipra of her original decision to hang up the skates. Instead, the striker is stuck for another season. The 23-year-old is having such a good time in Switzerland that she is even considering playing further.
‘It was difficult to find the balance’
But the beginning was not easy for the two American players. But the main challenge was not to adapt to the bigger ice or to the other types of ice hockey. But those of everyday life. Fontaine and Cipra are pro players here. They came from a structured and well-planned student life with studies and training. And first had to learn to fill in the days wisely.
Because at the ZSC Lions they train three times a week in addition to the two games – but only in the evening. “Our teammates all still have jobs, we were on our own. In the beginning it was difficult to find the balance,” describes Nati player Fontaine (24), “it took us a month.” Now they feel great.
The American girls have already seen a lot of the city of Zurich. Her biggest passion besides hockey is travelling. Therefore, if possible, they make short trips and see Europe. They have already visited Amsterdam, Milan, Munich, Lisbon and Paris. But first, her focus is on the playoff final.
Fontaine and Cipra won the conference five years in a row with the Northeastern, but it was never enough for the championship title. Once they failed dramatically. “In the fourth year, we lost the final in the second overtime against Wisconsin. It still hurts today,” admits Fontaine, who was the top scorer of the women from Zurich in qualifying. The play-off final starts today, Blick TV streams the game between ZSC and Bomo Thun live (from 5 p.m.).
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
