De Bâle à Brisbane : l’aventure australienne de Jules Sturny au hockey sur glace

Brisbane – 9 mai 2024 –

L’aventure australienne de Jules Sturny débute à Brisbane, où il joue au hockey sur glace pendant sa pause estivale. Le joueur suisse,ancien de Bâle,a saisi l’opportunité de combiner sa passion pour le hockey avec un voyage en Australie. Il découvre la ligue australienne, un niveau de jeu comparable à la 1ère ligue suisse, avec des défis uniques.La passion est palpable, et les rencontres avec d’anciens joueurs de la NHL ajoutent au caractère unique de cette expérience, mais comment s’intègre-t-il dans cet environnement particulier ?

Okay, here’s a rewritten version of the article, aiming for clarity, conciseness, and a more engaging tone:

Headline: From Basel to Brisbane: Jules sturny’s Aussie Ice Hockey Adventure

Lead: Swiss hockey player Jules Sturny is spending his summer break in Australia, combining his passion for ice hockey with a dream trip Down Under. Before joining Olten, the former Basel player is experiencing the unique world of Australian ice hockey.

[Image: Jules Sturny in his Brisbane Lightning jersey. Caption: Jules Sturny is currently playing in the Australian Ice Hockey League. Image: ZVG]

when Jules Sturny arrived at Brisbane Airport with a mountain of hockey gear,Australian customs officials raised an eyebrow.”What are you planning to do with all that?” they asked. Sturny was embarking on a unique adventure: a three-and-a-half-month stint with the Brisbane Lightning, one of ten teams in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL).

Speaking from Brisbane late at night after a training session, Sturny shared his excitement about fulfilling a long-held dream of playing hockey abroad.

“I’ve always wanted to play overseas,” Sturny explained. “After my time in Davos a couple of years ago, I asked my agent to explore opportunities. The money wasn’t the priority; I wanted to combine hockey with travel, see new places, and experiance a different culture.” While an overseas prospect didn’t materialize then, he later joined EHC Basel.

[Image: Sturny in action on the ice. Caption: Sturny in action. Image: ZVG]

Brisbane Makes It happen

Sturny remembered hearing about Australian ice hockey and decided to pursue it. Last year,he considered spending his summer break in Australia,but the timing didn’t work out. Australian clubs typically prefer import players who can commit to the entire season,which runs from april to the end of august. Sturny, as a professional in Switzerland, needed to return in early August.

This year, though, the Brisbane Lightning agreed to Sturny’s conditions, allowing him to leave early. The club announced the signing on Instagram, generating considerable excitement.”I’ve been impressed by the passion for ice hockey here,” Sturny said. “People are incredibly eager, especially when a foreign player joins the team.”

[Image: Jules Sturny with teammates. Caption: Jules sturny also meets former NHL players in Australia. Image: ZVG]

Facing Off Against Former NHLers

Many players in Australia have Canadian roots or discovered ice hockey through unconventional paths. Some imports, even in their late 30s and early 40s, bring a high level of skill to the league. Sturny mentioned Scott Timmins and Ty Wishart of the Melbourne Mustangs, two Canadians who played in the NHL.Timmins and Wishart, now 35 and 37 respectively, played a combined 50 NHL games for teams like the florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and New York Islanders. “The local players admire these guys,” Sturny said. “The chance to play against them is a big deal for the Australians.”

Sturny made an immediate impact, racking up eight points in his first two games. In a 6-5 win against Perth, he had a goal and five assists, followed by a goal and an assist in a 3-2 loss.

A Passionate Hobby

While Sturny’s performance has been impressive, he emphasizes that the AIHL isn’t a fully professional league. He compares the level of play to the Swiss 1st league. Teams typically practise twice a week, ofen late at night due to ice time constraints.

The infrastructure is also unique. Some rinks have fishing nets instead of plexiglass above the boards. The penalty box is located next to the player bench, allowing fans to pat players on the shoulder after a good play.”It takes some getting used to,” Sturny said with a laugh.

[Image: The player bench right next to the seats of the viewers. Caption: The player bench right next to the seats of the viewers. Image: ZVG]

In Australia, ice hockey is primarily a hobby. Players work full-time jobs from Monday to Friday and dedicate their weekends to the sport. Away games require extensive travel by plane, often covering thousands of kilometers. Once they arrive, teams play two games against the same opponent over the weekend.