(Lausanne, Switzerland) From Montreal to Princeton, via Ottawa, to end up at the head of one of the major organizations of the Swiss national league. This is the unusual journey of John Fust, the Quebecer who serves as sports director of Lausanne HC.
The most romantic will even say that the man from Mount Royal was predestined to work in hockey. The explanation?
His family is of Swiss-German origin. It was in the 1920s that she went into exile in Montreal. “My grandfather started from nothing, so he did several jobs,” relates Fust, met by La Presse at the Vaudoise arena during the intermission of the match between Lausanne and EHC Kloten.
“He ended up with his barbershop, Hans Salon. And he did the hair of the wives of the Canadiens players: the wives of Jean Béliveau, Maurice Richard, Henri Richard, they all went to see him! He was really good, he won competitions in North America. He was Swiss, and with his strong European accent, he charmed people! »
This link with the former CH is obviously anecdotal in his career. His Swiss passport, inherited from his father, is however less so. This is largely what opened the doors to European hockey for him.
Like many young people of his generation, Fust played hockey at a good enough level to be accepted onto the team at the prestigious Princeton University in the early 1990s. “I was a good player, but I wasn’t huge nor fast, so I told myself it would be better in Switzerland. If I wasn’t going to play in the NHL, I was wasting my time staying in North America,” he believes.
His Swiss passport therefore allowed him to return to the country of his ancestors to begin his professional career, first in the second division, then in the first. A busy 12-year career, mainly at Langnau and Ambri-Piotta.
Once his skates were hung up, it was in Ottawa that he envisioned what would happen next. “I wanted to work for the government,” says the 51-year-old. But now, through Martin Gerber, his teammate in Switzerland who was then playing for the Senators, the position of head coach of Visp was offered to him during the 2007-2008 season.
“I figured I’d try it for a year. It’s been 13, 14 years! »
In Switzerland, the title of sports director is equivalent to that of general manager in North America. However, the job description of a sports director differs from that of their NHL counterparts.
First, the meeting took place on the arena walkway. Now, the walkway is actually the last row of the stands; spectators pass by and can shout at the leaders at any time. “It’s a different game,” he believes. It’s more respectful, people come and talk to you, but don’t bother you. You are not a god, but you are known. »
In his case, he inherits a relatively enviable role since his club is still recovering from the departure of Petr Svoboda – yes, yes, THE Petr Svoboda – essentially blamed for all the ills around here. ” That’s another story ! », says Fust, modestly.
What about his job? “You have to wear all the hats, because we don’t have all the scouting staff of NHL teams,” emphasizes Fust. For example, he mentions the “closed” market due to the limited number of foreigners each team can accommodate.
“So contacts and experience are important. You are the one who manages the recruitment, you make the contracts, but also the marketing. I’m in sales and marketing meetings to find out what we can do to make the team even more popular. »
Fust will now try to lead Lausanne to the first ever first division championship in its history. At the time of the international break in early November, the club shared 6th place (out of 14) on the tour with Lugano.
Far from the spotlight of his hometown, he nevertheless remains proud of his origins. “I grew up in TMR [Mont-Royal], I played for the Eagles! he recalls, in a French that he was able to maintain while working in French-speaking Switzerland.
“I was born in Montreal. Like everyone else, I played. It was religion. I am very happy to have had a long career here. It’s not the NHL, but the quality of life here is so good that I have no regrets about not returning to North America. »
