“It’s More Than Just a Job”

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Bye everyone!

This is my fifth world championship under Patrick Fischer as national coach. My World Cup premiere was in 2016, but I had also played for the national team under Glen Hanlon. I have to admit – it’s been a long time so I don’t remember much from then. So I don’t want to compare the two coaches.

However, I am very happy that I have a Swiss national coach. Why? Success has a different meaning for a Swiss person than for a foreigner. The aspect of fighting for your country also plays a role for him, as it does for us on the ice. If you can represent your country, it’s more than just a job.

Then there is his mentality, which he has passed on to the entire team since Fischer was appointed to this position. He gave us this pride in where we came from. To show that we Swiss are in no way inferior to other countries and that we can also play ice hockey very well. That appeals to me and is important to me as a player in the national team.

Cold cuts and cheese – there’s nothing left!

Another small example, but it is very representative of this national pride: we have a very Swiss lounge here in Riga, the so-called SAC hut. This is the room where we meet. The atmosphere is cozy. It is ultimately quite representative of Switzerland, I think. If you don’t want to be alone in your room and want to spend time with others, there is always someone to chat or play board games.

In the evening there are also small plates with cold cuts and cheese. There’s nothing left, believe me. These are only small things, but in the overall picture it is a nice piece of Switzerland, also in Riga, where we have been for almost ten days now.

Thank you for your interest and see you next time!

Former NHL player and current Biel captain Gaëtan Haas (31) works as a columnist for Blick aus Riga at irregular intervals. After 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, the Seelander is contesting his fifth World Cup.

Source : Blick