Pushed by an extraordinary Nice public and a huge desire, the Azurean players had an exceptional season last year to claim the title and the promotion on the Lyon ice, the big favorite before the final. On Monday, they put on their skates for the first time…12 days before the championship resumes against Valence on September 13th at Jean Bouin.
You read that right. Only twelve days of preparation to start a new season. So, they had to adapt, as explained by the captain Augustin Gilardin: “We did individual summer preparation with some joint joggings. For me, it’s been two years since I last did it. The goal is to be ready as soon as possible because D1 is another level. You have to be able to question yourself to move forward.”
However, the start is going to be complicated. A situation that the new coach, Pascal Margerit, must accommodate: “We are going to have a handicap for the first two or three matches, meaning six points lost quickly. To be really prepared, we would have needed a month, whereas we had half of that. Moreover, the schedule forces us not to make mistakes from the first match because it is a game that we must win from the perspective of staying up. Playing at Gap would have been simpler. Indeed, we know we’ll lose there, so it would have given us more time to prepare.”
The former captain of the club is now catapulted to lead the senior team. A step back a few years which feels so good to the main person involved: “As soon as Peter (Almasy, the former coach, says Editor’s Note) left, I hoped they would ask me to take the team lead. When it was proposed to me, I was happy. Especially as it’s a new challenge which is a bit more stressful than four years ago. Before, I was player-coach in D3, now I am only a coach, but in D1. So, I can no longer release my stress by getting onto the ice if I need.” The one who was still vice-captain a few months ago can however count on twenty-two players ready to fight for him, some of whom were his teammates. Among them are the captain, Augustin Gilardin, and the Swedish goalkeeper, Daniel Svedin. Both know that the relationships will go well. For the first, “It’s going to be weird, but we are mature enough to set limits, lines not to be crossed.” The second recalls the main qualities of the former forward: “He has great maturity. He is always honest and says what needs to be said when things aren’t going well. I have a great faith in him. It will be a good season, I’m sure.”
They will, however, need to give it their all to go as high as possible through the twenty-six matches that will mark this D1 season. “It won’t be easy, especially at the beginning. We still remember the memories of the final in Lyon. We want to stay on that because sometimes you go through a career without experiencing it, and we were able to. However, today we need to return to reality and prepare calmly,” recalls Michaël Medioni, the general manager of the Eagles. Preparation will this weekend involve two friendly matches in Montpellier, to see where the team stands.
One thing is certain in any case; they can count on their goalkeeper, Daniel Svedin. At 26, the Swede seems even stronger than last year. All those who traveled to Jean Bouin got to discover the talent of a young man whose qualities are praised by the NHCA leaders. Augustin Gilardin is effusive about his goalie: “He’s becoming an icon of the club, he’s a good guy. We can rely on him, especially since he is appreciated by the whole club. He’s a good guy in every sense of the word.” The coach is no less complimentary: “It’s a very good thing that he stayed. I had the choice between a sure value and another goalie I didn’t know, I preferred Daniel. He provides a certain security.” The former president, now general manager, Michaël Medioni is also happy that the Swedish colossus stayed: “He played the final with a sprain, and had an extraordinary match. With such moral qualities, we couldn’t do anything but offer him a new one-year contract. We appreciate him tremendously and he loves Nice. It was natural.”
So much praise reflects the personality of the Swedish goalkeeper, who returns it well to this club and the city where he has been playing for a year. “I love Nice, those who work for ice hockey. Everyone helps me; the weather is perfect with summer all year round. Helping the team is therefore an honor, and I want to approach the Magnus League with Nice. The public supported me a lot last year, so I ask them to continue to come, especially since I play better under pressure.” His love for Nice seems infinite. He would like to “take the nationality of Nice” if that were possible.
There is no doubt that the public will return a series of impressive performances from him.
Performances that could help the club reach the top of the standings, and why not the top four places as Daniel Svedin thinks.
A dream that is challenging to achieve according to the Azurean captain, Augustin Gilardin. “We must be realistic because there are big teams opposite, so we will move forward cautiously and without excess. That said, I am sure that with work, we can go far and perhaps create surprises. If we ever win the title this year? I promise to make three rounds of the ice rink naked in front of the BSN and the entire audience. I also promise to shave my head.”
Before getting there, the NHCA must succeed in a good start from Saturday, September 13th, against Valence at the Jean Bouin ice rink. And it counts on public support, which will need to be numerous again this season.
