Aebischer considers retirement
While his team is fighting to keep a place in the Swiss elite league David Aebischer, former Avalanche goalkeeper, is fighting to take back his starter role.The season of David Aebischer didn't go well at all, facing a lot of troubles finding solidity and self-confidence in the net. He ended the regular season being the worst goalkeeper of the entire league, with a save percentage of 87,24% and 3,76 GAA. With such bad performances he lost the starter place in favour of the young Latvian goalie (with Swiss passport) Ivars Punnenovs, who managed to start the first games of the relegation tournament.
What is sure for “Abby” is that his contract will expire at the end of this season, and that he will not sign a new deal with Rapperswil hockey team. “I have no idea about what I will do in my future,” he said. “I think Rapperswil already signed a new goalkeeper for the next season. I am focused on ending this season in the best way for my actual team as soon as it is possible, before thinking about next season. I will see which options will be on the table. Two or three teams already submitted me an option, but I am not interested in them (editor's note: probably these offers came from the Swiss second-tier).”
Aebischer would like to continue his career, but at certain conditions: “My decision will be influenced by a few factors. I am going to continue just if I find something that is convenient for me. I would like to still play a few years (editor's note: he is 36 now), but it has no sense at all to go on if I will not find something that will please me.”
An actual option for Aebischer is to rejoin his former club at younger level, Fribourg-Gottéron. Anyway this is still an option with some uncertainties. The goalkeeper trainer in Fribourg, Sylvain Rodrigue, is talking about his future with Edmonton Oilers and he may will not be able to keep his job here in Switzerland. In this case Aebischer can step in with a double role as a backup for Benjamin Conz (starter goalie in Fribourg) and as a mentor for the young goalkeepers in the organization.
The Fribourg GM Raphaël Berger confirmed this situation and said that he is trying to find solutions: “We are waiting for some news from Edmonton. We haven't formally spoked with Aebischer, we want to leave him quiet in order to let him finish his season without any distraction.”
It's hard to say what will happen in the end with his career, next months will be crucial for the former Avs goalkeeper.
Nicola Martinetti, a reporter of http://heshootshescoores.com/, wrote and translated this story exclusively for the Eurolanche.com.
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27/03/2014 - 16:30
