Biber, Söllinger and Wolf join national team

While Bernd Wolf has been a regular in the line-up at World Championships in recent years, Gregor Biber and Patrick Söllinger have never taken to the ice at a top-level World Championship. The head coach expects them to show plenty of fight accordingly: “For them, it is about showing that they belong in the World Championship team. They are young, physically strong and good skaters, and both had a good season.”

As was the case against Latvia, Roger Bader will again have to do without Dominique Heinrich this week. He is receiving treatment for his groin and is expected to rejoin the team camp next week. Lukas Haudum is also still absent due to an injury he sustained at the end of the play-offs and will continue to receive treatment this week.

Austria will face Hungary in friendlies on Thursday and Friday this week. At the 2023 World Championship in Tampere (FIN), Austria secured their place in the top division against their neighbours in the decisive final group game thanks to a shoot-out victory, while Hungary had to drop down to World Championship Division IA. Thanks to immediate promotion, they are back in the Top Division this year and will play their group games in Herning (DEN).

Head Coach Roger Bader: “They are already fielding their World Championship team, as no Hungarian player is still competing in a league. Their squad is complete.”

Austria are still some way from that. Numerous players are still on the ice in the win2day ICE Hockey League final, Vinzenz Rohrer is fighting to defend the title with the ZSC Lions in Switzerland, and the NHL regular season is still under way. An opportunity for others to make their case for the World Championship.

Roger Bader: “We want to take another step forward this week. Many of the players have still had around five weeks without on-ice training and have kept fit individually. Last week, they had their first team training session again, as well as two games. These first three weeks are about building the foundations and, for the players, about showing that they belong in the World Championship team.”

World Championship preparation squad, Team Camp #2

World Championship preparation

Hungary vs. Austria
Thu, 10 April 2025, 19:00, Fehervar (HUN) – subject to possible changes, live on Krone TV

Hungary vs. Austria
Fri, 11 April 2025, 18:00, Ajka (HUN) – subject to possible changes, live on Krone TV

Czechia vs. Austria
Thu, 17 April 2025, 19:00, Znojmo (CZE), live on Krone TV

Austria vs. Czechia
Sat, 19 April 2025, 17:30, Linz, live on ORF SPORT +

Austria vs. Germany
Thu, 24 April 2025, 19:00, Zell am See, live on ORF SPORT +

Germany vs. Austria
Sat, 26 April 2025, 17:00, Rosenheim (GER), live on ORF SPORT +

Austria vs. Canada
Sun, 4 May 2025, 19:00, Vienna, STEFFL Arena, live on ORF SPORT +

Already played:

Austria vs. Latvia 2:3 after overtime (1:0,0:2,1:0,0:1)
Fri, 4 April 2025, 16:20, Vienna, Hall 3, STEFFL Arena
Austria goalscorers: Benjamin Lanzinger (at 19), Dominic Zwerger (at 55)
Latvia goalscorers: Nauris Sējējs (at 28), Kristaps Skrastiņš (at 29), Miks Tumānovs (at 62)

Austria vs. Latvia 1:4 (0:0,0:2,1:2)
Sat, 5 April 2025, 16:20, Vienna, Hall 3, STEFFL Arena
Austria goalscorer: Dominic Zwerger (at 53)
Latvia goalscorers: Georgijs Golovkovs (at 22), Anri Ravinskis (at 39, at 41), Rihards Bukarts (at 48/PP1)

2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship

9 - 25 May 2025, Stockholm, Sweden & Herning, Denmark

Austria vs. Finland
Fri, 09 May 2025, Globe Arena, 16:20, live on ORF 1

Sweden vs. Austria
Sat, 10 May 2025, Globe Arena, 16:20live on ORF 1

Austria vs Slovakia
Mon, 12 May 2025, Globe Arena, 16:20live on ORF 1

Canada vs Austria
Thu, 15 May 2025, Globe Arena, 20:20live on ORF 1

Austria vs France
Fri, 16 May 2025, Globe Arena, 16:20live on ORF 1

Slovenia vs Austria
Sun, 18 May 2025, Globe Arena, 16:20live on ORF 1

Latvia vs Austria
Tue, 20 May 2025, Globe Arena, 12:20live on ORF 1