HC Lugano aims for higher standing in upcoming National League season

HC Lugano enters the 2026/27 National League season with a deeper roster and increased expectations following a fifth-place finish and their first direct playoff qualification in five years. Under head coach Tomas Mitell, the team aims to build on the structural improvements established alongside assistant coach Stefan Hedlund.

While the club has seen significant progress, recent playoff results highlighted a gap between regular-season success and elite performance, specifically following a 0-4 sweep by the ZSC Lions in the quarterfinals. To bridge this gap, Lugano has bolstered its import player lineup with additions such as Lassi Thomson, Jere Innala, and Olle Lycksell.

The team's success will likely depend on the consistency of these new foreign players alongside established Swiss core members like Calvin Thürkauf and Luca Fazzini. Continuity in the coaching staff and the health of goaltenders Niklas Schlegel and Joren van Pottelberghe remain critical factors for the upcoming campaign.