Dear loyal and valued fan,
Much has happened since my last letter to you a week ago!
We witnessed another historic moment for the club last weekend as the first GSHC women’s team played its first official Swiss Ice Hockey Federation match, in the Swiss Women’s LNC. I would like to recognize and applaud the dedication of the players, and the tireless work of current and past Association Genève Future Hockey and GSHC staff who have spent countless hours over the years developing this team, starting with the Just for Girls outdoor rink program. I would also like to thank the commune of Grand-Saconnex in particular for making available their ice every Sunday morning, and the female programs past and present of HC 3 Chêne and CP Meyrin for their support.
We are happy to announce that we have prolonged the contract of our equipment manager ‘Jimmy’ Aurelien Omer, who is an important part of our organisation. Jimmy works very long hours during the season to make sure that every small and big detail is absolutely perfect for the players and coaches. He is the oil between the coaches and players, a confident for many, and a fierce defender of GSHC. Jimmy is very popular with staff and fans alike and is a core person in the GSHC family. He is known around the hockey world as one of the very best in his field, and as a complete professional. Thank you Jimmy for continuing your hockey journey with us and for your loyalty and commitment!
The organizing committee for the Annual GSHC Gala, to be held this season on Thursday February 9, met this week to advance with preparations. We will have a fantastic show with great entertainment highlighted by a very high profile comedian, great tombola prizes, and this year some new ideas for a very attractive auction. We will announce more information shortly on our website, social media, and e-mailings – so stay tuned! I would like to extend a big thank you to the members of the organizing committee – many of the office staff, and committee members of our Golden Eagles and Crystal Club fan clubs. We are aiming for a new record of 1,000 fans at the Gala, it will be a night to remember so don’t forget to register once the registration forms are sent out!
Our passionate fan Christian Luscher will lead the singing of the Geneva Ce Que Laino anthem at the start of tomorrow night’s game against Zurich. He will be the first of this new initiative where at each game someone different will lead the anthem. If you would like to be that person for one of our upcoming games, please send me an email sharing a story that proves you are passionate about GSHC and Geneva! Thank you Christian for being a first with us, and for being such a great ambassador of GSHC and of Geneva!
We are excited to have signed Nathan Gerbe as our 5th import to replace Mike Santorelli. Nathan was under contract with the New York Rangers and has just been released. Nathan will bring you to the edge of your seats with his speed and skill. We expect he will become one of the most exciting players to have ever played for GSHC. Nathan shared with me his passion for hockey, his commitment to our project, and his feeling that in Geneva he will progress as a player and as a person. He is excited to work with his new teammates to make a positive impact for the club and the Geneva community, to contribute to the new rink project, and to help us win the first of many titles for GSHC!
Our players have been unlucky with injuries to start the season. As difficulty can be associated with opportunity, this situation has given young players from Association Genève Futur Hockey a chance to play. I would like to congratulate Yoan Massimino, Guillaume Maillard and Neil Kyparissis for their first LNA games last weekend, and for showing to every player in the GSHC, CP Meyrin and HC 3 Chêne academies that hard work and dedication pays off. A big thank you also goes out to all the coaches, assistant coaches and volunteers in our Academy program who are producing great players, and most importantly contributing to developing great young men.
We are launching a new initiative to recognize the amazing work of young people in our Geneva community. If you know of a young GSHC fan who dedicates time and energy to charity and social causes, or has done a notable good deed for the, please send me an email and we will be offering special prizes to the winners!
See you at Les Vernets tomorrow night for the game against Zurich – don’t forget to come for 18h15 to get in the mood with the pre-game ambiance, and families bring your children to enjoy the free activities for your children that we are making available outside the main entrance to the rink and in the Zone Famille section of the rink!
Thank you again for your tremendous support, you are magnificent fans.
Ensemble, Toujours!
Hugh Quennec
h.quennec@gshc.ch