Fribourg-gottéron captain Extends Contract, but Dragons Stumble Against Kloten
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Fribourg-Gottéron fans received exciting news Friday night at the BCF Arena: a video declaration on the jumbotron revealed a contract extension for the team’s iconic captain, Julien Sprunger. The veteran player, who debuted with the Dragons in the 2002-2003 season, will continue his career in Fribourg through 2026.
sprunger, who turns 39 on January 4th, commented on the extension after the game: “I always told myself that I wouldn’t play until I was 40, but I will be 40 at the end of my career…”
In a post-game interview with Radio Fribourg’s Valentin Danzi, Sprunger (14 points this season, including 7 goals) reflected on the announcement. The forward has played an impressive 1,081 National League games, all with Fribourg-Gottéron.
A Familiar Story for the Dragons
On the ice, Fribourg-Gottéron displayed their usual offensive prowess, creating numerous scoring chances. However, they onc again struggled to convert those opportunities. Coach Pat Emond summarized the game succinctly: “It’s the story of our season.”
Kloten, missing their top scorer miro Aaltonen due to illness, played a strong defensive game.
The game also marked a new attendance record at the BCF Arena, with 9,269 spectators enjoying the action, thanks to the recent addition of a new terrace behind the press box.
Looking Ahead
Fribourg-Gottéron has two games remaining before heading to Davos for the Spengler Cup: Saturday against Rapperswil and Monday against Zug. Unluckily, forward Sandro Schmid will miss the prestigious tournament after suffering an injury during Friday’s practice.
Upcoming Games: Rapperswil vs. Fribourg-gottéron,Saturday at 7:45 PM in St. Gallen.Follow the game live on Frapp and RadioFr.
(Note: Replace “YOUR_YOUTUBE_VIDEO_ID” with an actual YouTube video ID if available.)
by Valentin Danzi, RadioFr.
Fribourg-Gottéron Inks Captain To Extension, But Struggles On The Ice
Julien Sprunger, captain of the National league Hockey side Fribourg-Gottéron, penned a two-year contract extension, silencing speculation about his future and delighting fans of the Dragons. This comes despite the team’s continued struggles on the ice, most recently a loss to Kloten. To discuss these developments, we spoke with Swiss hockey analyst Rolf Witschi.
Sprunger Extends, Solidifying His Legacy
World-Today-News Senior Editor: Rolf, Julien Sprunger’s extension was big news for Fribourg fans. What does this mean for the team moving forward?
Rolf Witschi: This is enormous for the Dragons. Sprunger is more than just their captain; he’s a lifelong Dragon, a legend in fribourg. He provides not only experience and leadership but a sense of stability and identity for the team. This extension allows the team to build around a core player known for his commitment and leadership both on and off the ice. The fans love him, his teammates respect him, and the organization clearly values him. This is a win for everyone involved.
World-Today-News Senior Editor: How do you think this news will impact the team’s performance on the ice?
Rolf Witschi: I think it will give the team a much-needed boost, both in morale and confidence. Knowing their captain is committed to the team long-term should inspire the younger players and instill a sense of belief within the squad.
Let’s not forget, Sprunger is still playing at a high level.
He’s still contributing offensively, but his real influence is in the locker room. He’s the kind of leader who can motivate his teammates and pull them through tough times.
Dragons’ Offensive Prowess Yet To Translate To Wins
World-Today-News Senior Editor: Despite the feel-good news surrounding Sprunger, Fribourg still struggled against Kloten. This seems to be a persistent theme for the Dragons this season. what’s the issue?
Rolf Witschi: It’s frustrating for fans and players alike. Fribourg generates plenty of scoring chances, but they’re having trouble converting them into goals. It’s been a recurring theme throughout the season. They need to improve their finishing and capitalise on those opportunities.
Their inability to convert chances was a major factor in their loss to Kloten.Kloten played defensively well, limiting Fribourg’s high-danger chances. ,
While Fribourg racked up shots, they couldn’t get the puck past stoiuber.
World-Today-News Senior Editor: Looking ahead, what are Fribourg’s prospects for the rest of the season, and how crucial is the upcoming Spengler Cup?
Rolf Witschi: They’re certainly not out of the running. The National league is tight, and Fribourg has the talent to make a late push. The Spengler Cup is a grate opportunity for the team to build momentum and gain some confidence.
It’s a prestigious tournament, and participating in it will be a good test for the team. however, they have to address their scoring issues to be triumphant in Davos and make a run in the National League.
