HC Villars is no longer alive, long live the Association HC Villars 1908. Under the impetus of a brand new management team, made up in particular of former players of the Vaud club, this legally and economically independent company aims to promote and to develop the practice of hockey in the station and to train the youth of the region. The club, in collaboration with the junior movement which will remain an independent entity, will establish effective partnerships with the surrounding clubs. “We did not want to take over the public limited company which hitherto managed the club”, explains Michael Bochatay, new president and former player of national league. “So we created an Association, which starts from scratch. It will register a team of assets under the name HC Villars 1908, its date of foundation. “
The objective is to find the 2nd league in the medium term.
Michael Bochatay, president of HC Villars 1908
In sporting terms, the first team will play in group 4 of the 3rd league and will align a contingent mainly composed of players trained in Chablais. “Our ambition is to ensure that the matches in Villars become once again real meetings around which the inhabitants of the region and the station’s hosts can share convivial moments”, explains Michael Bochatay. “We will still be hosting several events related to hockey and other events at the station.”
Elders surround young people
The HC Villars 1908 intends, in the medium term, to find the 2nd league. “On the other hand, the 1st league is, today, too demanding in terms of investment and travel. It is not a priority objective. First of all, we are a few elders who surround young people while waiting to train other players who will replace us. “
The staff will be composed of Michael Bochatay, in charge of the sports aspect in the committee, Jean-Marc Viret and Nicolas Ravoire.
HC Villars has a history with Swiss hockey
The committee is made up of the following people: Michael Bochatay (president), Thierry Marro (vice-president), Mathieu Kohli (treasurer), Jérémy Paris (secretary), Yves Jelovac (legal), Jérémy Zimmermann (marketing), Adriano Iuliani (sponsorship ), Stéphane Erard (MJ president), Yvan Brunner (MJ manager), Harald Cropt (events) and Didier Etter (events).
HC Villars-Bellerive, its original name, is one of the founding members of the Swiss Hockey League. HC Villars removed two titles in LNA (1963-1964), three in LNB and four in 1st league. However, he had ended up falling in line in recent years. At the end of the 2018-2019 season, then in the 1st league, he had even experienced an administrative relegation, which therefore prompted several personalities from the region to get involved. Last season, the club no longer had a league team but partnered with MHC-PDS, in close collaboration with HC Monthey.
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