John Slettvoll Inducted into HCL Hall of Fame

Hockey Club Lugano is preparing to welcome the eighth member of its Hall of Fame at the Cornèr Arena.

After Alfio Molina, Bernard Côté, Bruno Rogger, Silvano Corti, Andy Ton, Fredy Lüthi, and Glen Metropolit, it’s now time to celebrate a figure who, with his relentless desire to win, his perfectionism, and his leadership, has become an icon of the perfect coach in the Bianconeri world.

We are, of course, talking about John Slettvoll, the charismatic coach, now 79 years old, discovered by Geo Mantegazza in northern Sweden and who arrived in Lugano in the summer of 1983. With clear direction and consistency in managing his team, John Slettvoll shaped the Great Lugano that enchanted Swiss hockey in the late 1980s. Under the new playoff format, he led the Bianconeri to six consecutive finals between 1986 and 1991, winning four national titles.

Below are the most significant statistics from John Slettvoll's experience with Hockey Club Lugano, where he also served as sports director in the 1994/1995 season:

9 consecutive seasons behind the bench (1983/1992)
539 league games over 14 seasons (1983/1992, 1993/1996, 2007/2009)
4 Swiss titles (1986, 1987, 1988, 1990)
354 wins, 45 draws, 140 losses
1 Spengler Cup final (1991)

Hockey Club Lugano will honor John Slettvoll on the ice at the Cornèr Arena before the start of the derby against HCAP on Friday, December 1, 2023.

As with the other members of the Bianconeri Hall of Fame, which is intended to eventually include players, coaches, directors, and others who have contributed to writing memorable pages in the club’s history, "The Magician" will be celebrated with a film on the central cube and the presentation by President Vicky Mantegazza of a plaque, a ring, and a personalized jersey.