Every­thing geared towards the U20 World Cham­pi­onship

Image credit: Lucas Thaler - Copyright: GEPA picutres/Matic Klansek

The players will have the opportunity to stake their claim for the second-most important IIHF competition in men's ice hockey at the U20 tournament in Jelgava, Latvia, from 8 to 14 November. At the same time, all other junior national teams will also hold training camps and take part in a 4-nation tournament.

“The 4-nation tournament during the November break is already a tradition. The U20 team will face three strong nations in Latvia, Belarus and Denmark. It is an excellent opportunity for Head Coach Marco Pewal to assess players ahead of the World Championship,” explains Roger Bader, Sporting Director of the ÖEHV men's national teams.

For the upcoming 4-nation tournament in Latvia, Pewal will have to do without the overseas-based players Sebastian Wraneschitz, Senna Peeters and Vinzenz Rohrer, as well as Marco Kasper, whom Roger Bader has called up to the senior national team.

However, the squad includes two players who have already gained senior national team experience. Lucas Thaler and Leon Wallner made their debuts under Roger Bader last spring. “They are two key players in the U20 team. Thaler scored four goals at the Beat-Covid tournament,” the Swiss coach highlights.

The first training sessions will still be held in Vienna before the team relocates to Riga on 10 November.

The 4-nation tournament gets under way against Belarus on 11 November, followed by hosts Latvia on 12 November and Denmark in the final game on 13 November.

Roger Bader: “The tournament is entirely geared towards assessing players for the World Championship. But naturally, we go into every game aiming to win. In recent years, we have always managed to win at least one game. I think that will be possible again this year.”

Alongside the U20, the other junior national teams will also hold training camps including a 4-nation tournament. The U18 will compete at the Division I World Championship next spring, from 25 April to 1 May in Asiago (ITA), where they will face hosts Italy, Poland (promoted), Slovenia, Ukraine (relegated) and Hungary.

Hungary will also host the 4-nation tournament in which the Austrians will take part during national team week, facing the hosts in their opening game. Slovenia and Italy are the other opponents.

Head Coach Roger Öhmann will be without several players who are travelling to Riga with the U20.

Roger Bader: “Here, too, we are using the opportunity to assess players. The U20 is currently the priority; in the new year, we will focus fully on the U18. At junior level, development can often happen very quickly. Players who have not stood out so far now have the chance to show what they can do. There are several candidates among them.”

Under Head Coach Florian Mühlstein, the U16 national team will play a 4-nation tournament in Klagenfurt, facing Hungary, Italy and Slovenia between 11 and 13 November.

The U15 will play its home tournament in Kufstein, also facing a Bavarian selection, a Saxony/Berlin selection and Italy between 11 and 13 November.

Training camp, 8 - 14 November
4-nation tournament in Jelgava (LAT)
Schedule:
Belarus vs. Austria, 11.11.2021
Austria vs. Latvia, 12.11.2021
Denmark vs. Austria, 13.11.2021
Direct link to squad

Training camp, 8–13 November
4-Nations Tournament in Szekesfehervar (HUN)
Schedule:
Hungary vs. Austria, 11.11.2021
Austria vs. Slovenia, 12.11.2021
Italy vs. Austria, 13.11.2021
Direct link to squad

Training camp, 8–13 November
4-Nations Tournament in Klagenfurt
Schedule:
Hungary vs. Austria, 11.11.2021
Italy vs. Austria, 12.11.2021
Austria vs. Slovenia, 13.11.2021
Direct link to squad

Kufstein Cup, 10–14 November
Schedule:
Austria vs. Bavaria, 12.11.2021
Austria vs. Saxony/Berlin, 13.11.2021
Austria vs. Italy, 14.11.2021
Direct link to squad