SC Herisau is currently playing in the 2nd Swiss league and would keep on playing there as a totally new team with the same name should be set up for the NLB, as journalist Klaus Zaugg reports in the Aargauer Zeitung. The project has already received green light from the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation - if a reasonable concept and an adequate infrastructure exists.
Whereas SC Herisau would only have to cover the costs of the gaming operations, the salaries of the players (CHF 1.5 million) would be split between the Rapperswil-Jona Lakers and the "Pro Ostschweiz Eishockey GmbH". The rest of the budget - another CHF 1.2 million - should be covered by game revenues, advertisements, sponsorings, and other revenues.
The team would comprise players from all over eastern Switzerland who are too old to play in youth teams, but are not yet ready for the National League A. Players from the Lakers' youth organization as well as from the various teams all over eastern Switzerland should provide a solid basis to improve the Lakers' NLA-team.
Of course, in order for this project to survive, it is key that the Lakers avert a relegation to the National League B under any circumstances.
