Davos sporting director Jan Alston has shown a good hand in signing foreigners
Image: Keystone
Davos coach Josh Holden has silenced the critical fans
Image: Keystone
Davos center Enzo Corvi still sees some potential for improvement in himself
Image: Keystone
The Davos fans currently have a lot to cheer about
Image: Keystone
Davos sporting director Jan Alston has shown a good hand in signing foreigners
Image: Keystone
Davos coach Josh Holden has silenced the critical fans
Image: Keystone
Davos center Enzo Corvi still sees some potential for improvement in himself
Image: Keystone
The Davos fans currently have a lot to cheer about
Image: Keystone
HC Davos is currently riding a wave of success and the system under coach Josh Holden is working better and better. But nobody wants to overestimate that. Next opponent is Ambri-Piotta on Wednesday.
When Davos announced in March 2023 that Josh Holden would be the new coach, it didn't go down well with the record champions' fans, as the Swiss-Canadian dual national was no slouch as a player and got under the opponents' skin. Now, as head coach, he is completely different and is usually calm in person.
"As a player, you're an entertainer. How I am as a coach is more in line with my personality," says Holden in an interview with the Keystone-SDA news agency. "I'm a rather quiet guy who likes to laugh and talk to people, but I'm also compassionate." That's why he not only wants to see a fast and hard-working team, but it's also important to him that the team is like a family. Sometimes there are clashes in a family, but as long as you deal with each other constructively and challenge each other positively, it strengthens you and you grow closer together, says Holden.
Excellent communication and people skills
Before joining HCD, Holden spent five years as assistant to Dan Tangnes at EV Zug, with whom he won the championship title in 2021 and 2022. "I learned from him how to work as a coach, and now I can use my own personality." Davos head of sports Jan Alston describes Holden as "an extremely good communicator. Everyone understands what he wants." Enzo Corvi, who is part of the captain's team, adds: "He sees when someone isn't doing well and then tries to find out what's going on. He's a very good person."
The results show that Holden's words resonate with the players. The system is working better and better in his second season as coach. HCD has won nine of its last ten games and last Friday took the lead in the standings for the first time since November 19, 2021. When asked why things are going so well, Corvi replied: "We're currently winning games that we lost by one goal last season because we're very confident at the back and scoring goals up front. Our system is more defensive. We close down the slot and always try to have three men behind the puck. This makes it difficult for the opposition to make rushes against us."
Great dependence on the foreigners
As productive as Davos are with 75 goals (regular season and overtime) in 23 games, they have so far been dependent on the foreigners in offense. They have been responsible for two thirds of all goals scored by the Grisons team. All four newly acquired mercenaries - defenseman Julius Honka and forwards Adam Tambellini, Filip Zadina and Simon Ryfors - have scored. "There's also luck involved," says Jan Alston modestly. "There are always risks, for example with families. But the boys are very well integrated and happy here. The chemistry is very positive."
However, Alston also says that "it's not good in the long term if only the foreigners score." The top Swiss scorer at HCD is Valentin Nussbaumer with four goals. Enzo Corvi was only successful once, although he had a good preparation after a season marked by back problems. "In the first ten games, things didn't go as I'd hoped. I didn't manage to take the lead," says Corvi. "But things are getting better and better and I now have full confidence in my back again. However, I still need to be braver offensively. I know that I can make the difference."
Good foundation
The Grisons' power play in particular still has potential. "We can do a lot of little things even better, but we have to keep our feet on the ground," says Alston. "We need to find consistency. Every game is a big challenge. You also need luck with your health. There are a lot of injuries everywhere."
However, a good foundation has been laid with Holden. That's why the recent extension of his contract until 2027 was the logical consequence, especially as the 46-year-old loves it in Davos. He loves the mountains, grew up in Calgary 45 minutes from the Rocky Mountains and bought a piece of land in Colorado, America's most mountainous state. He took the job in Davos, although the family still lives in Zug because of the children.
Holden is also realistic: "The teams are getting closer and closer. In a week, with so many games, everything can be different again. That's why I take it day by day." Either way, he has long since won the fans over to his side.
SDA
