High-calibre November Break

Image note: ÖEHV Head Coach Roger Bader – Copyright: GEPA pictures/Daniel Götzhaber

Roger Bader heads into the week with his customary young team and will exceptionally be supported by former national team player Manuel Latusa and Swiss coaching legend Arno Del Curto.

One week, three games, a young team and three legends. Hardly a player older than 25 years, plus Marco Kasper, a promising prospect who is highly rated for the NHL Draft in July 2022.

“This is nothing new. We often play with a prospect team in November. There are many young players involved. Over the past five years, most of them have played at least once for Austria at an U20 World Championship,” emphasises Men’s Sporting Director Roger Bader.

Since the Swiss coach took over the Austrian side, there has been a direct link between the U20 and the senior team: “The players get their chance to prove themselves. Not always immediately. Sometimes it takes two or three years, but many get that opportunity.”

And everyone wants to make the most of it. Belarus, France and Slovenia are high-calibre opponents. “We want to test the players and see whether they are ready for the next step, ready to become regulars when we field our strongest line-up,” explains Roger Bader.

The players who took part in Olympic qualifying in the summer will be given a break, with three exceptions: Stefan Ulmer, Bernd Wolf and Kilian Zündel.

Roger Bader: “We have put together an interesting, young, fast and talented team for the November Break. I am very much looking forward to working with the lads and seeing them perform on the ice. Above all, I am eager to see who takes their chance and puts themselves forward for bigger roles.”

This year’s November Break offers plenty of headlines. Alongside the young squad, the many talents and the opponents at the Four Nations Tournament, the coaching bench in particular is well worth a closer look.

Markus Peintner and Philipp Lukas will exceptionally not be there. Peintner recently became a father and will be given time off. Philipp Lukas was already away from his club, Steel Wings Linz, for two weeks in August and will be absent for another four weeks around the turn of the year due to the U20 World Championship in Canada. “I do not want him to be away from his employer for any longer,” says Roger Bader, taking this into consideration.

Instead, the Swiss coach will have two big names alongside him: former long-serving national team player Manuel Latusa and Swiss coaching legend Arno Del Curto. Roger Bader worked with the now 61-year-old at the beginning of the 90s. Del Curto most recently coached HC Davos as head coach for more than 20 years, winning the Swiss championship six times and the Spengler Cup three times.

“Manuel still knows the national team from his time as a player, now works as a coach at the Red Bull Academy and will now have the opportunity to get a taste of coaching with the national team as well. Arno has been a close friend for more than 30 years. I am very pleased that he has agreed to help us out on this one occasion,” says Roger Bader, looking forward to his two new assistant coaches.

Belarus vs. Austria
Thu, 11 November 2021, 15:30, Ice Arena Jesenice

France vs. Austria
Fri, 12 November 2021, 15:30, Ice Arena Jesenice

Austria vs. Slovenia
Sat, 13 November 2021, 15:30, Ice Arena Jesenice