Urs Kessler resigns as President of Swiss Ice Hockey – Association seeks a new beginning once again

Failed power struggle and lost votes

Just on Sunday, Kessler had still denied an imminent resignation to the NZZ. "Such nonsense. We'll see this through now," he said at the time. Less than 24 hours later, the official announcement followed.

Swiss Ice Hockey is thus going through a persistent leadership crisis. Kessler is already the second president in a short period of time to leave office prematurely. In December 2024, Stefan Schärer, a former top handball player, was forced to resign after internal intrigues. Schärer received a severance package and had to sign a confidentiality agreement.

The third presidential search since 2023

With Kessler's departure, the association is now looking for a new president for the third time since 2023. The unrest at the top falls into a difficult sporting phase: shortly before his resignation, the Swiss national team had lost the World Championship final against Finland.

Marc Lüthi is considered the most promising candidate for the succession. The 64-year-old ended his long and successful tenure at SC Bern at the end of April. The National League is expected to propose him as the new president.

Kessler's authority had recently diminished within the Board of Directors as well. Board member Peter Zahner, elected as a representative of the National League, voted against the president multiple times. Furthermore, Kessler was internally informed by a colleague that his presence at the Swiss League playoff final was not required – someone else would present the trophy to the champions HC Sierre.

Marc Lüthi as a potential successor

In the past approximately twelve months, about fifteen new positions have been created at Swiss Ice Hockey. The association is now faced with the task of stabilizing the leadership structure in addition to the sporting reorientation.

The association's selection committee will hold discussions with potential candidates in the coming weeks. In addition to Marc Lüthi, other personalities from Swiss ice hockey and the business world could also come into play.

Kessler, who had previously successfully managed Jungfraubahnen, had set out with the ambition to professionalize the association. His departure after only a short term in office highlights the deep divisions within the organization.