Haudum stays in Klagen­furt

EC VSV announced the signing of Jerome Gauthier-Leduc on Tuesday. The Canadian defenceman is no stranger to Austria: the 28-year-old played for the Dornbirn Bulldogs from 2017 to 2019. After a year in Sweden, Leduc joined the Vienna Capitals last season. His record in the Austrian league: 157 games, 98 points, including 19 goals.

“Leduc was an absolute priority signing for us. In his five years in Europe – both in Sweden and in our international league – he has consistently demonstrated his class. At 28, he is at the peak age for ice hockey, is robust, physically strong and has an excellent shot. A particular bonus is that, while he is regarded as an offensively strong defenceman, he is also top-class defensively – a genuine two-way defender and an absolute asset to our team. We are very pleased that we were able to sign Jerome,” said VSV director of hockey operations Gerald Rauchenwald.

With Kevin Moderer, Yannic Pilloni and Philipp Lindner, Villach have signed a package of Austrian players. Forward Moderer and defenceman Lindner most recently played for the Graz99ers, while Pilloni, also a forward, played for EC Red Bull Salzburg. “Our aim is to sign more Austrian players. With these new arrivals, we are sending a strong signal in this direction,” stressed VSV director of hockey operations Rauchenwald.

Meanwhile, EC-KAC have tied Lukas Haudum to the club for “at least one more season”, the reigning champions also announced on Tuesday. The Upper Austrian’s contract includes various options to extend its term. The 23-year-old has played for Klagenfurt since the 2019/20 season, having previously spent five years in Sweden.

In total, he has played 98 league games for EC-KAC to date, scoring 25 goals and registering 30 assists. “Lukas Haudum made significant progress from his first to his second year at our club and has developed into one of our key offensive players. We believe that this upward curve has not yet reached its peak and still see plenty of potential for the future in him, which is why we are very pleased to have agreed to continue our partnership,” KAC general manager Oliver Pilloni commented on the contract extension with the Upper Austrian.

The Black Wings have strengthened their squad for the upcoming ICE Hockey League season with 28-year-old Emilio Romig. The winger previously spent two years with the Dornbirn Bulldogs, for whom he recorded a total of 97 games, 57 points, including 22 goals.

“Emilio is a very good skater and can help us in every game with his speed. We expect him to forecheck very well and give defencemen little time to build play. With his work ethic on and off the ice, he fits very well into our team,” head coach Dan Ceman was quoted as saying in a statement from the Upper Austrians.