LHC's John Fust: "Young core with potential rather than risk of overpaying"

The announced departures of two of their most prominent defenders - Andrea Glauser and Lukas Frick - by the end of the 2024-25 season have caused some stir in Lausanne. John Fust, however, reassures the fans: "The team will remain competitive.  Of course, we can't talk about everything openly or in the media, but Lausanne will remain an ambitious team whose aim is to increase its potential."

Concerning the signings of Glauser with HC Fribourg-Gottéron and Frick with HC Davos, Fust understands the desire of the two defenders to move closer to home but criticizes the timing: "I'm not a fan of the current system, where players can sign for another club before the start of the season. Nor of making announcements at this time of year. But that's the reality of Swiss ice hockey".

As for the future, the team manager took the occasion to clarify to the newspaper their strategy: "We're working on rejuvenating the defense. [...] Rebuilding means working over the long term with younger players and balancing the budget. [...] But that doesn't mean that, if we have the opportunity to take on an impact or international player, we won't try to improve the team. We simply put a lot of responsibility on our young core of defenders." 

This strategy allows them also to have a deeper roster: "We haven't taken the risk of having players who are in the last phase of their careers. In other words, players who are aiming for one last big contract in the long term and who cost more. We prefer to have a young core with potential who can reach a higher plateau. It's also a strategic choice because it gives us more depth" concludes Fust.