Within the Lausanne organization since his adolescence, Benjamin Bougro started this 2024-25 season with the confidence of his coach Geoff Ward. Installed in the center of the fourth offensive line, the young attacker finally has the opportunity to prove himself for the first time in the National League. For the traditional “Plays4kids” meeting, number 71 of the Lausanne Hockey Club took the time to speak with us.
A two-step launch
As of the 2021-22 season, the striker has had the opportunity to wear the Lions tunic a few times. With 4 matches played over the first two years, the pure product of la LHC Academy mainly had to continue his training with the U20s or in the Swiss League. Last season, the Franco-Swiss had every reason to believe that his hard work would be rewarded. Established on October 6 against SC Rapperswil-Jona LakersBenjamin saw his efforts fizzle out due to an injury that kept him out of the first team for the entire season.
Benjamin Bougro: “Last year’s injury slowed me down. I think I could have gotten off to a good start, but it didn’t go as planned. It taught me the importance of having an impeccable lifestyle outside of the ice. Afterwards, in Martigny, I felt like I wasn’t able to play at the level I should have. But that’s the past, now I’m hungry, I want to prove that I deserve a place in this league. It showed me that nothing is taken for granted in life and that everything can stop suddenly.”
New season, new opportunity for Benjamin Bougro who is assigned the center position of the fourth offensive line of the Lausanne Hockey Club. After 7 National League matches, the Lion tells us how he is experiencing the start of the season.
Benjamin Bougro: “Well, look, it’s going really well, I’m quite happy with myself and the way I’m playing for the moment. Yes, the coach trusts me and he has demonstrated it so far. My role is clear, play well defensively and adapt to the National League style of play, which I think I’m doing quite well so far. The offensive aspect will come as the season progresses, I’m sure. I feel more and more comfortable, because with every match I play, I progress and I feel it.”
Camaraderie within the group
The Lausanne Hockey Club squad is full of quality centers, which would have the risk of increasing competitiveness between the players. However, mutual aid is a term that comes up a lot when we look at life in the locker room. An ideal situation for discovering the big league.
Benjamin Bougro: “We all get along very well in the group. If I have a question, I don’t hesitate to ask it and they are always there to give me valuable advice. I am very happy, because the members of the technical staff helped me a lot at the start of the season, they gave me a lot of advice for my defensive game and especially lots of tips for face-offs which is an aspect that I would particularly like to improve.”
The good integration of young players from the Lausanne Hockey Club is not the result of chance. With a well-established hierarchy and executives in a leadership position, these former academy products have the opportunity to develop in healthy conditions.
Benjamin Bougro: “It’s really cool to see that the guys I played with when I was younger in Lausanne are now together here. I always wanted to play in Lausanne and to do it with Nathan (Vouardoux) who was my captain in U20 and Kevin (Pasche) with whom I grew up since I was 10, it’s special ».
The Play4kids meeting
The EV Zug reception on Friday October 4 will take place under the “Plays4kids” brand which will see two partner associations benefit from the generosity of spectators through different actions. With a special jersey for the occasion bearing the image of Spiderman, the people of Lausanne will also participate in the party.
Benjamin Bougro: “I really like the idea of this year’s jerseys, it may be more interesting to the young people who will be present. It’s a privilege to be able to highlight associations in this way, it’s intelligent. It gives hope to children who just want to see it. And if it can interest them in playing hockey, it can only be beneficial for Swiss hockey.”
