Benoît Groulx takes over from Michael Liniger in Zug

Michael Liniger is no longer the head coach of EV Zug. Eight losses in a row - plus two in the Champions Hockey League - and only sitting in ninth place in the National League seem to have forced the club management's hands. In his stead, Benoît Groulx will lead the Bulls until the end of the season.

"We supported Michael Liniger as best we could. Ultimately, however, as head coach, he was responsible for the team and its performance", Zug's CEO Patrick Lengwiler states. "Unfortunately, he was not sufficiently successful in advancing the team and giving it stability. EVZ thanks Michael Liniger for his commitment and wishes him all the best for the future."

As for Groulx, the 57-year-old Canadian started his career behind the bench in 2000 as an assistant for the QMJHL's Shawinigan Cataractes. One and a half seasons later, he had his first head coach position with the Hull (later Gatineau) Olympiques, where he spent a big part of his career. The other big part so far was as head coach of the AHL's Syracuse Crunch. His last job ended in November of 2025, when he left Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL).