Going to play hockey in the United States was a dream I've had since I was in the early stages of my career, but growing up I never had the courage to do it. I started playing hockey when I was 6 years old in Lugano, Switzerland, and played there for 13 years.

​

Growing up, I was told that the only way to succeed was to stay in Switzerland. I was playing in one of the best clubs and junior hockey leagues in the country. However, I had lost the fun of playing hockey. It became more a job than it was a sport and even if hockey was always my passion I felt like I needed a change. I decided to go for a ten days hockey camp with Ochsner Hockey Academy, in which I had the chance to showcase my skills to a bunch of new coaches in the Minnesota area.

​

When Jay Witta, the Head Coach for the Minnesota Blue Ox, approached me and asked me if I was interested in playing for his brand new team, I decided to say YES. Initially, the intent was just to stay for a year, come back, and try to play again in Switzerland or go to college.

​

After the first year, however, I knew I was meant to be here. I had one of the best years of my life and I had found the fun in playing again. We made the playoffs, won our division, and went to Nationals in Boston where we ended up being in the top 4 in a league of 52 teams. After falling in love with this country, I decided to continue my dream and play college hockey at Lawrence University, where I am currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in economics with a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 

​

Leaving for the US was the best decision of my life. This website is a guide for whoever is thinking about doing what I did and help them answer some of the biggest questions and concerns that I had to face.