EV Zug confirms signing of Fribourg's Raphael Diaz

A lot has already been said about the possibility of Raphael Diaz re-joining EV Zug. The involved club has now weighed in on the matter and confirmed it - on Diaz's birthday, nonetheless. The defenseman will return to the Bulls on a contract valid for the 2025-26 season, putting an end to his tenure with HC Fribourg-Gottéron.

"Raphael is still an incredibly good player", team manager Reto Kläy notes. "He is an absolute leader type and will make our team better next year."

Diaz grew up playing hockey in Zug's organization and made it to the National League squad. In 2011, he left to play overseas, first for Montreal - with a stint in Zug during the 2012-13 lockout, then for Vancouver, New York, Calgary, and New York once more. In 2016, he returned to his former Swiss home again, won a Swiss Cup title and a Swiss national championship, and then joined Fribourg in 2021.

"I am really looking forward to playing for my childhood club again, where it all started", the 39-year-old states.