As Genève-Servette HC informed earlier today, they have signed Jason Akeson. The forward is currently a member of the ICEHL's HC Pustertal and will be suiting up in the National League for the next two seasons. A Canadian by birth, the 34-year-old is married to a Swiss woman and should receive the respective passport by September.
"Jason will undoubtedly be a great asset to our team", team manager Marc Gautschi states. "Thanks to his vision of the game and his playmaking qualities, he will boost our offensive production, as he has demonstrated at practically every level."
Akeson has been with Pustertal for two years, recording 27 goals and 79 assists in 106 games so far. Before that, he played in Germany (Straubing Tigers, Kölner Haie), Sweden (Mora IK), Russia (Admiral Vladivostok), and North America (various organizations).
Besides Akeson, the Grenats have also added Simas Ignatavicius to their main squad. The Lithuanian youngster (17) has been part of their youth department since 2020 and made his first appearance with the men's team just recently - albeit in the Champions Hockey League. He has played three games on loan for EHC Visp.
"Simas is one of the most talented players in Switzerland and has already proved his enormous potential during this year's pre-season and in the CHL", Gautschi notes. "For his age, he is already well advanced physically and has a very professional attitude. His offensive qualities, combined with a high hockey IQ and a certain toughness in his game, can make him a dominant player of the future for our club."
Alongside Ignatavicius, Dovydas Jukna and Maxime Sauthier have been promoted to the team's "extended" roster.