After a month of absence, Théo Rochette returned to competition on Wednesday evening. Brilliantly.
Pascal Muller/freshfocus
“I feel like it’s been five months since I last played!” It’s an understatement to say that Théo Rochette was impatient to return to competition. Absent from the ice rinks for four weeks due to a lower body injury, the elegant striker made his return to action on Wednesday evening, on the occasion of Lausanne HC’s great success over Ambri-Piotta (5-0) .
After delivering a real offering to Ken Jäger for the break goal (26th), the Swiss international scored his tenth and eleventh successes of the exercise in 419 seconds flat (49th and 56th). It’s hard to dream of a better “comeback”.
«Temps long»
“As the whole team played really well, it made it a lot easier,” he comments soberly. And as we find ourselves better and better with Kuokkanen and Pajuniemi, whether in matches or in training, it was an almost easy return.
The No. 90 of the LHC, who brought his personal total to 22 units in as many outings thanks to this full match, is nevertheless more satisfied with having put on the skates again rather than having returned a three-point record.
“The main thing was above all to get the guys back and in match form,” underlines the 22-year-old. Mentally, it also did me good to relive the entire match day. I missed it.”
It must be said that Théo Rochette is not used to missing matches, as was the case during the Lions’ seven previous outings. He doesn’t hide it.
“Since my juniors in Canada, I don’t remember missing a lot of matches,” he reflects. At least not for that long. So it was weird. The first week it was okay because I knew I wasn’t able to play. Then, little by little, when you start to feel that you are close to a return to play, the time is really long.
Although he obviously does not hope to relive such an experience again any time soon, the center player exiled on the wing believes he has drawn something positive from this period, which was as frustrating as it was difficult.
Song to his glory
“The stuffed animals’ match, against Langnau, was not easy to live with,” he remembers. It did something to me to have to watch the game from the stands and hear all that crowd… Yeah, it was hard! But I learned to be patient and have fun coming to the rink, no matter the situation. Also training hard, whether with the physios or the fitness trainer.”
Logically elected Lion of the match for his big return to the competition, the darling of the Vaudoise arena saw his great efforts immediately rewarded. Enough to strengthen his confidence – “I have a lot at the moment”, he admits – and receive a ovation from the Lausanne supporters, who concocted a song in his name.
“I couldn’t hear the words well from the ice, but the support is incredible during home matches,” smiles Théo Rochette. I love playing here, in front of our fans.”
Transcended by the Malley audience, Stéphane’s son confirmed in front of Ambri that he had reached a new milestone in his young career since the start of this 2024-2025 vintage. His trainer is also rave about him.
“Theo improves the players around him”
“What differentiates Théo from other players is his ability to improve the players around him,” underlines Geoff Ward. This is a quality that few players possess. When he arrived here last year, he already looked like he had been a professional player for two or three years. He is a very talented player, who takes his game and his preparation very seriously. He’s a guy who’s going to have a very good career. He also aspires to one day play in the best league in the world. I can tell you that, if I were a general manager or a recruiter, I would pay attention to him right now.
While waiting to one day make the big leap to the NHL, the Vaudois striker will take great pleasure in tormenting some of the country’s defenses. Just to make up for these lost four weeks.
