Hard work and belief beat everything else in the long run. Be honest with yourself, work on your weaknesses, improve your strengths, keep your head down and keep putting in the work.”
In this interview series, players from the Hockey Club Klein Zwitserland (HCKZ), share their perspective on teamwork, resilience, and personal growth. Their stories offer insight into what it takes to perform at a high level, on and off the hockey field.
In this edition, we speak with Aki Käppeler, a key player in HCKZ Heren 1 and a member of the U.S. national indoor team. Aki shares his thoughts on team dynamics, leadership, mental strength, and the pursuit of excellence.
For Aki, teamwork comes down to a simple but powerful idea: finding a way to achieve goals together. “Teamwork is about helping each other get the best out of both the individual and the group so we can collectively reach our goals.”
When asked what separates a good team from a championship team? According to Aki, “Consistency in the small details. Consistency in behaviors. And a shared belief in the group. Those are the real differentiators.”
Aki’s personal improvement focus changes each season, but the theme is constant: how can he elevate both himself and his teammates? “My development has become more about helping others perform better while still giving the most I can to the team.”
Success, he believes, comes in many forms. “Titles are one way to measure success, but impact matters too. If someone performs well because of something I helped them with, that’s also a big success for me.”
A career moment that still fills him with pride is the fourth‑place finish at the Indoor World Cup with the U.S. national team. “We entered the tournament as outsiders with little preparation and not much support. Historically we hadn’t performed well. But we proved everyone wrong, competed with the winners, and really performed as a team. The whole way we came together as a group and played well still makes me proud every time I think about it.”
Aki feels most motivated when he knows he is competing at the highest level. “Knowing you are competing with the best and can really be at the top of your field really drives me. And the feeling of achieving something together as a group, that deep fulfilment and joy is addictive!”
Under pressure, he relies on calmness and preparation. “I focus on breathing to relax and remind myself of the work I’ve put in. Before important games, I visualise key moments or think back to similar situations I’ve already handled.”
Aki sees clear parallels between Main Capital’s values and those in top sport. “It’s about combining individual ambitions and working together as a group towards a team goal – and sometimes putting egos aside for the group.”
Growth, he says, is the essence of top sport. “Every session, every meeting, every training exists to help us grow. We have to be direct with each other, even about uncomfortable things; mistakes, wrong decisions. Learning from those is the fastest route to improvement.”
He believes companies can learn a great deal from athletes. “Athletes have a very direct way of communicating. We handle criticism openly and bounce back quickly from setbacks. That mindset can really help optimise communication and goal‑driven processes in a business environment.”
Sportsmanship, even under pressure, remains non‑negotiable.
“Yes, we play to win, but sportsmanship still is very important. There is a right way and a wrong way to win. Winning unfairly would take away the sense of achievement. If we win, we want to do it honestly.”
His advice for young players aiming for the Hoofdklasse is direct and grounded:
“Hard work and belief beat everything else in the long run. Be honest with yourself, work on your weaknesses, improve your strengths, keep your head down and keep putting in the work – and enjoy the process. However small the steps might seem, they are what take you to the end goal!”
Looking five years ahead, Aki’s goal is clear: he is working toward competing at LA28 as an Olympian. “After that, I’m open – I can see myself coaching hockey, but also pursuing my career as an architect. Both paths excite me.”
