22 May 2026
"Winning Mindset" with ice hockey legend Ralph Krueger at Sablier
In the stylishly furnished "Jardin" room at the Sablier Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, around 60 guests enjoyed an inspiring evening with one of the most influential personalities in Swiss ice hockey - and all of this coinciding with the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championship in Switzerland. They accepted the invitation of the two hosts Sablier and Flughafen Zürich AG as well as the cooperating business development network of FRZ Flughafenregion Zürich. Together with moderator Stephan Kaufmann, Ralph Krueger spoke about the principles of success from top-class sport and how these can be applied to work and everyday life, even in challenging situations.
Krueger, who will be inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame this year, impressed the audience not only with anecdotes from his 40-year international sports career, but above all with his reflective and positive attitude. It was particularly impressive how openly he spoke about his Parkinson's diagnosis, which he made public in May 2026.
"Do you bring energy into the room or do you take it out?"
His talk focused on five basic principles of a "winning mindset". Krueger began with one of his always provocative questions to the audience: "Do you bring energy into the room or do you take it out?" According to Krueger, the impact someone has on a team or an organization is decided as soon as they enter a room. It is not just optimism that is decisive, but the ability to think in a solution-oriented way and remain constructive even in difficult situations.
In this context, Krueger also spoke about his illness. Instead of concentrating on things that he cannot influence, he consciously focuses on what is still possible. "I can control how I react to it," he said. Sport, nature and conscious eating have become even more important sources of energy for him as a result. This focus on what is possible applies in exactly the same way in every life and work situation.
Success is a team effort
Another focus of the evening was the importance of teamwork. Krueger recalled his time as head coach of the Swiss national ice hockey team and the cultural change that the team underwent at the time.
"When you join a team, you cease to exist as an individual," he explained. The key is to put your own ego aside and put common goals above personal interests. Today, every player puts their own needs behind those of the team, which can be seen and felt again and again at the current Ice Hockey World Cup.
Krueger used numerous examples from his career to show just how much of an impact a clear team culture can have on success. It became particularly emotional when he spoke about the legendary Ice Hockey World Championship 2000 in St. Petersburg, when Switzerland surprisingly defeated the ice hockey giants Russia. The basis for this was not talent alone, but trust, communication and a shared belief in the impossible.
Again and again, and also at this point, Krueger added: "Knowledge is average. Doing is excellence." This is precisely where the national ice hockey team has grown considerably. They no longer just talk about things, but consistently put them into practice on and off the ice.
Values as a foundation
Krueger repeatedly returned to the importance of values. Successful teams invariably have strong "roots", as he put it. These include respect, discipline and the willingness to make short-term sacrifices for long-term success. Krueger commented: "There is no free ride in life. Success doesn't come about by chance, but through consistent action and daily decisions."
His own career has also been anything but straightforward and has always required discipline and courageous decisions. From his coaching job in Austria to the Swiss national team to the NHL and later as Chairman of Premier League club Southampton, his openness to new things has been his main characteristic. Even setbacks such as his dismissal from the NHL team Edmonton Oilers ultimately opened new doors.
Motivation needs a goal
Finally, Krueger spoke about motivation and why many people often feel lacking in energy. His answer was surprisingly simple: "If you get up in the morning and have nothing to work towards, you can't be motivated." Whether it's a vision, goal or dream doesn't matter. The important thing is that people have a reason for doing something.
This attitude ran through the entire evening. Krueger never talked about success in the traditional sense, but about achieving one's own potential. "Real winners are out there to just do the best with what they have," he made clear. It was precisely this that made his messages tangible and suitable for everyday life for many guests, as the concluding Q&A session showed.
The discussions continued in a relaxed atmosphere at the subsequent aperitif riche. The guests were treated to pickled salmon, beef tartare and tarte au citron by the Sablier team, made new contacts and took the opportunity to talk to Ralph Krueger in person. The stylish ambience of the Sablier with its view of the countryside provided the perfect setting.
The evening once again showed how diverse and inspiring the networking events at the Sablier and other The Circle locations are. The next event is coming up on June 18 with the Sablier Rooftop Party (Link) - an opportunity to exchange ideas, enjoy yourself and make new contacts at The Circle.
