Hockey: This Neuchâtel resident found himself coaching in Belgium

Belgium does not represent the El Dorado in terms of hockey. Or perhaps on grass, where the national team is among the best selections in the world. But certainly not on the ice. It is therefore difficult to imagine a Swiss exporting there. However, this is the case of Pascal Ryser (65), coach of Chiefs Leuven since 2023.

The Neuchâtelois found himself on the bench of the city of Louvain team thanks to a combination of circumstances. “My daughter-in-law started university near Louvain,” he explains. One day, I met the president of the club quite by chance. We discussed hockey and he convinced me to return to a career that had stopped for a long time.

This was actually relatively surprising. Coach of CP Yverdon in 1993-1994, Pascal Ryser then went to France, passing through Mulhouse, Viry, Reims and Montpellier between 1995 and 2013. “This departure to France was not planned either. I worked in the junior movement of Star Lausanne, a parent did business with the Mulhouse club and one thing led to another, I found myself there,” he says.

Here he is now in Louvain, where he adds a new, rather exotic line to his CV. “I’m not going to lie to you, I probably had the same preconceptions as you about hockey in Belgium,” smiles the technician. And the surprise was a good one in a country where this sport is in full development, as evidenced by the promotion of Belgium to the fourth world division in 2024.

As for Chiefs Leuven, they play in the Central European Hockey League (CEHL), a league bringing together nine teams, four from Belgium, three from the Netherlands and two from Germany. Which increases competitiveness. “The level is good,” assures Pascal Ryser. Recently, we had a Swiss referee who regularly officiates in the MyHockey League and he told me that the level was similar.

Popular enthusiasm, however, is higher. Most of the rinks are full and the Dutch in The Hague attract between 2000 and 3000 spectators per match. One club is an exception: Louvain. “We have few audiences, our average fluctuates between 50 and 200 people.”

But the Belgians love hockey and closely follow the DEL, the German championship. “By geographical proximity, our fans also follow the Cologne team,” underlines the Neuchâtel resident. As for the National League, it is viewed with admiration because it is considered one of the best leagues in the world along with the NHL and the KHL.

There is still one thing in common between the CEHL and the first two Swiss divisions, the teams are dependent on their foreign players, limited to three. In Louvain, the two Canadians Erik Miller and Jérémy Côté are easily the best scorers. The parallel ends there as the salaries are incomparable.

Pascal Ryser tells us an anecdote on this subject. “I was in contact with Canadian-Swiss Ashton Stockie to bring him last season because our foreigner was one of his best friends. The discussions quickly ended for financial reasons.”

The attacker now plays in the Swiss League with HC Sierre.