Jack of all trades, Burkhalter knocks at La Chaux-de-Fonds

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He was happy to take her to Davos. Legendary coach Arno Del Curto was always tempted to take the potential out of supposedly difficult cases and turn them into top players. “I didn’t make it with one – and that annoys me,” the cult trainer once said. He was referring to Loic Burkhalter, who played under him at Davos from 2006 to 2008.

Despite this – or perhaps because of it – Burkhalter and Del Curto have remained connected to this day. “We talk on the phone regularly. Arno is there for me when I need him and I’m there for him when he needs me,” says the once-talented striker, who occasionally drove his coaches crazy with his idiosyncrasy, about this special symbiosis.

Full control? “No, save money”

After a Tour de Suisse through hockey Switzerland (Rappi, Ambri, Davos, Rappi again and Biel), Burkhalter returned to his hometown of La Chaux-de-Fonds in 2014 and, after retiring four years later, became the strongman from the club. The 43-year-old is currently not only sports director, but also assistant to coach Louis Matte of the gang.

To have total control? “No not at all. But to save money. Instead of investing in an assistant coach, I prefer to invest in a player.” Burkhalter goes his own way and has remained so to this day. “I know what I want and what I don’t want. I’m not here to be the fan favourite, I’m here to be successful,” he said.

Lost only two of 29 games

Previously, a vitamin B culture prevailed in the club. Players were again given new contracts because they were fan favorites or because they were well received by sponsors. That was a thing of the past with Burkhalter – he introduced the performance principle. That was not well received by everyone. But his success proves him right.

HC La Chaux-de-Fonds has lost just two of its last 29 games – no other team in Swiss professional ice hockey is in such a hurry to win. “We have great team spirit, a good mix of young and old, we have talent and are fast,” says Burkhalter as the secret to success. It can be uncomfortable for arch-rival Ajoie, who will have to face Neuchâtel in the league game from Thursday.

Ajoie makes life difficult

“Now we have a good culture in the club. That didn’t happen overnight, but the foundation has now been laid and HC La Chaux-de-Fonds is another interesting address,” says de Romand, who speaks good German.

Nevertheless, the jack-of-all-trades sees his team as outsiders in the competition qualification. But also as an outsider with a great desire for even more victories. “We have nothing to lose, we want to make it difficult for Ajoie,” he says. Does La Chaux-de-Fonds really want to rise? Burkhalter’s answer leaves no doubt: “We don’t play to lose, we play to win. And we have the green light from the league to move up the ranks.”

Source : Blick