Why did Genoni never get a chance in NHL?

[Sanf]

I like this low-key "What's wrong with Liiga?" thread.

Hahaa sorry for the extreme OT. But the fact is that the original question was fairly easy to answer maybe. To keep it in subject I found the old interview from 2019 when he signed that 5 year deal without NHL clause.

Were you never interested in playing in North America?​

Not really. In my early years, there was only a limited opportunity to move to North America. At that time I didn't have enough international experience to be able to draw any attention to myself. Now I am at the point in my career where everything would have to change to make the move to North America. I chose the EV Zug and I deliberately didn't include a withdrawal clause in my contract because I have big plans with EVZ and I want to be part of the team.
[Interview] Leonardo Genoni – A Shutout for Cyber Security

 

[aniketus]

Same reason Benjamin Conz wasn't drafted their too small.

 

[Albatros]

Hutchinson/Pysyk thing. Sure it caught almost everybody by surprise that Saipa actually invested for their blooming success. Though those players fall in the "artist taxing" because they stay in the country less than 6 months. That is much lesser taxes so you can might lure bit bigger name. They were rental from the start.

In Finland hockey players can generally invest half their salary tax free, so you only have to pay for the other half anyway. Having all-year contracts is by no means the norm everywhere in Europe to start with.

 

[Hinterland]

I dont disagree that the SHL is somewhat better than the NLA but I dont think its a whole other tier of quality like some posters have suggested in this thread. The fact that some younger guys go over there has also to do with the quality of the junior leagues in both countries. The Swedish J20 is still a good fallback option to develop further if you dont make the pros right away while the Swiss U20 (now U21) league is not really a place you want to be as a 18/19 year old with pro ambitions. In Bichsels and maybe in Rebers case as well lack of opportunity with their respective native pro teams also have played a role in their decision to move. So there is definitely some interest for Swiss players to go to Sweden. But I dont think its mainly because the quality of the SHL.

I don't think the SHL is a much better league than the NL at all. I think the level is probably similar. It's very different though. The SHL is much better at player development though because coaching is much better. Teams don't have unlimited money either so they're more interested in actually developing players than many Swiss teams, too. It's probably more physically demanding, lower scoring, too and therefore a better preparation for players with NHL ambitions, too while the NL is more of a skill competition, more of a show, more of a stage for Europe's biggest names looking for a big pay day and a light schedule.

 

[Hinterland]

Hahaa sorry for the extreme OT. But the fact is that the original question was fairly easy to answer maybe. To keep it in subject I found the old interview from 2019 when he signed that 5 year deal without NHL clause.

Were you never interested in playing in North America?​

Not really. In my early years, there was only a limited opportunity to move to North America. At that time I didn't have enough international experience to be able to draw any attention to myself. Now I am at the point in my career where everything would have to change to make the move to North America. I chose the EV Zug and I deliberately didn't include a withdrawal clause in my contract because I have big plans with EVZ and I want to be part of the team.
[Interview] Leonardo Genoni – A Shutout for Cyber Security

Thx. So I remembered correctly. Probably from an interview then.

Like I said. Legendary goalie, very good at what he did in Switzerland. I think he was a smart man to stay at home though. I may be unfair but I don't think he would have done well in the NHL. At least not as a starter. As a 1b or backup maybe.

 

[Mrfenn92]

Nothing wrong with being comfortable in familiar surroundings

 

[Nick25]

Why did swiss u20 Leauge change to u21?

Dont forget Fiala. He played in SHL.

It's called Impact +1. Essentially, every junior age group has been extended by one year:

• U15 → U16
• U17 → U18
• U20 → U21

One of the main reasons behind this change was the high dropout rate around age 15. For example, there were 36 elite U15 teams, but by the U17 level, only 13 elite teams remained. As a result, many kids stopped playing hockey altogether. The hope is that by extending each age group by a year, more players will stay in the sport longer.
Under the new structure, the top-tier system consists of 36 teams at the U14 level, then reduces to 24 at U16, and finally to 13 teams at U18. The idea is that a more gradual reduction in team numbers might prevent such a steep drop-off in player participation.
Additionally, this change brings the age groups more in line with other European junior leagues, where U16 and U18 categories are the standard, potentially raising the level of competition. Also, by extending the age limit to U21, I believe the goal was to raise the overall level of the league, as the competition in this league has been relatively weak compared to other European junior leagues. I think the gab between professional hockey (NL) and junior hockey gets bigger each year and they hope to close it with this extension.

I am not sure if any of these improvements have any positive impact. Perhaps it would be interesting to talk about this in a seperate thread.