Dominique Hein­rich on retiring: “I’m incred­ibly grateful”

At least when it comes to the national team, you could say you ended your career at its peak. Was that the perfect ending?
Dominique Heinrich: “Yes, looking back, you can say that. Of course, it would have been nice to progress further at the World Championship and the result could have been better too, but when you look at the bigger picture – the performances of the entire national team, the atmosphere within the team and the games – it was, of course, a lovely farewell.”

How much has this been on your mind in recent months, and when did you make the decision?
Dominique Heinrich: “It was on my mind for a very long time. Really, from the moment my contract in Vienna was terminated. From then on, it occupied the entire family. Everyone wanted me to keep playing, and I could still have played at a good level. But it was also clear that our home base would remain in Vienna. Commuting would have meant missing out on an enormous amount at home. That would not have been right for me. I’m a family man. There are more important things in life, and that is family. Now that it has become official, it has been very emotional once again – especially because so many people have got in touch.”

How are you feeling at the moment?
Dominique Heinrich: “It has its ups and downs. There is a bit of everything. Because it was a longer process, I have come to terms with it well. Now I’m looking forward with excitement, and I will be working as an expert for ORF. I’m very much looking forward to that and am very grateful for this opportunity. Then we’ll see what other projects come up.”

You are surely being inundated with messages. Which one was the most touching, or perhaps the most surprising?
Dominique Heinrich: “I received an incredible number of messages. It would be unfair to single out a few. At the same time, it was lovely to hear from people I once looked up to, or from people I played alongside for a long time and with whom close friendships developed. You look back on all those times and are grateful that everything happened the way it did.”

What was your finest moment at club level, and which one with the national team?
Dominique Heinrich: “Picking out individual moments is always difficult. Even with the six championship titles with Salzburg, it is hard to say which was the best. If I had to choose one, it might be the last one, because my children were already old enough that they will be able to remember it later on. Generally, the time in Salzburg was incredibly lovely. Our children were born there and we felt incredibly at home. Salzburg became a second home. With the national team, it was reaching the quarter-finals and the quarter-final itself. I will also always have fond memories of my penalty against Hungary, which secured our place in the top division in 2023. In general, the past few years with the national team have been special. The atmosphere was always great and it was enormous fun to be on the road with the lads.”

In your ORF interview, you said that your wife found it almost more difficult to accept that you are no longer playing. Why?
Dominique Heinrich: “That is difficult to explain. It is probably difficult for her too because she knows and sees how much I enjoy doing it and how much I loved this sport every day. It probably hurts her too. It has been difficult for all of us, but life and the journey go on. It is an adjustment and very emotional when something comes to an end. But we are also looking forward to what comes next.”

Fortunately, you will remain involved in ice hockey as an ORF expert. What other plans do you have for the future?
Dominique Heinrich: “I definitely want to set up a marketing agency with a friend of mine, Dominic Kollinger, and get it up and running. I have big ambitions for it and want to make a difference with it. Perhaps I can also help the national team with sponsorship through it. That would mean a great deal to me. Otherwise, I will see which projects are suitable and enjoyable for me.”

To finish, the most important question: why is ice hockey the greatest sport in the world and why will it remain so?
Dominique Heinrich: “Because it simply gives you an incredible amount. You start as a small child because you love the sport. Over the years, it gives you so much back – friendships, memories and much more. It all goes by so quickly, but those things stay with you for a lifetime. When I think back on everything I was able to experience and all the people I got to know, solely through this sport, then I am incredibly grateful that I was able to do it at the highest level.”