Marco Kasper: “I expect a lot from myself”

Congratulations, Marco! You have received this title for the second time since 2022. Does it feel different from three years ago, especially now that you have established yourself in the NHL and developed into a key player for the national team?
Marco Kasper: “It is different, no question about it. A lot has happened since then. I played a full season in the AHL and completed my first full season in the NHL. Last season ended brilliantly with the World Championship. The 2025 year itself has been somewhat more difficult. There are always ups and downs, but the most important thing is to always give your best and work hard.”

You have already mentioned it: you have experienced a few ups and downs this season. What was the period like in particular when you had to be patient before being able to score again?
Marco Kasper: “That was obviously difficult. I expect a lot from myself. When things are not going well offensively, it is difficult. During that period, I tried to do the simple things really well, work hard and check. It did not go the way I had imagined, but I kept working hard and always tried to help the team win. That has worked quite well so far. We have managed to pick up quite a lot of wins overall and naturally want to keep going like that.”

Did you also have the right support from the team and coaches during that time?
Marco Kasper: “Family is always the most important thing, and they are always behind me. There is a certain amount of pressure that you often put on yourself. I had a lot of video sessions with the coaches during that time and we talked a lot. My teammates were great, and as I said, the most important thing was that we were winning, even if things were not going well for me personally.”

Has that helped you mature mentally once again?
Marco Kasper: “Mentally, it was certainly a difficult time. You hope to come out of it stronger. It was not the first time I had gone a longer period without scoring a goal or registering a point, but as I said, you simply have to keep working on yourself every day.”

How much can you talk about targets for this season?
Marco Kasper: “I think the main objective for every team at the start of the season is to reach the play-offs. That is our goal too. We have not been in the play-offs for a while and we are hungry. It is a very tight division, so it is difficult to say what will happen. We will try to keep winning as many games as possible and make the play-offs.”

If you were to be eliminated early in the play-offs, would the World Championship then be an option for you?
Marco Kasper: “The World Championship is always an option. It is really enjoyable to play for the national team and for Austria. We also saw last year that we are a great group that enjoys being together and plays really good hockey. It makes me proud to play for the national team. First and foremost, I hope we reach the play-offs with Detroit, and then we will see how things develop.”

Following the success at the 2025 World Championship, you were named Team of the Year at the LOTTERIEN Sporthilfe-Gala. How did you hear about this award and what does it mean to you personally?
Marco Kasper: “As it happened, I even watched the gala live. That was really cool. And it was important for ice hockey that young players can see that the sport has a high standing in Austria. We will do everything we can to continue developing, establish ourselves as a top-tier nation and take further steps, such as reaching the quarter-finals.”

What about Marco Rossi and David Reinbacher? Are you in contact with each other, or is there no time for that with such a busy schedule?
Marco Kasper: “Unfortunately, I didn’t play against Marco this season because he was drafted first and then injured. I would have liked to play against him again. Last year, we went out for dinner together before the game and had a chat. I message David from time to time, but with the packed schedule and currently a game every two days, there is little time for that.”

You are one of the biggest role models in Austrian ice hockey. What tip or advice can you give to the emerging talents?
Marco Kasper: “The most important thing is simply to have fun every day when you go to training or a game. To have a good time and not let your head drop when things are not going well. Ice hockey is the best and greatest sport. If you want to develop, you have to work hard. But that can and should be fun too.”

What stands out most in your memories of 2025? Regardless of whether it was in your private life, sporting life or otherwise.
Marco Kasper: “I have to admit that the World Championship was the absolute highlight for me. The fun we had, how well we played – it was simply a great experience overall.”

Speaking of private life. Tell us a little about yourself away from the ice. What hobbies, preferences or favourite foods do hardly any people outside your family and circle of friends know about?
Marco Kasper (laughs): “Nothing out of the ordinary. We athletes often have very similar interests. It is the same for me. I enjoy playing golf, read a lot of books last year, enjoy being in nature and going for walks.”

Secure your tickets for Austria’s World Championship warm-up games now!

The past few years have brought incredible highlights that remain etched in our minds to this day and will be remembered forever. The comeback against Canada, the last-second win over Finland in 2024 and, of course, reaching the quarter-finals in 2025 are just the most notable events of the past World Championship years. In Zurich (SUI), the aim is to add the next chapter to this success story. Perfect preparation is essential, and from April Austria will face Latvia, Italy, Czechia, Germany and Slovenia.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WARM-UP SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

08.04, 19:00, Riga (LAT): Latvia vs. Austria
09.04, 19:00, Riga (LAT): Latvia vs. Austria
16.04, 19:00, Feldkirch: Austria vs. Italy - >> order tickets now!
23.04, 19:00, Vienna: Austria vs. Czechia - >> order tickets now!
24.04, 17:30, Jihlava (CZE): Czechia vs. Austria
30.04, 19:00, Zell am See: Austria vs. Germany - >> order tickets now!
02.05, 17:00, Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER): Germany vs. Austria
09.05, 16:20: Austria vs. Slovenia, Klagenfurt - >> order tickets now!

2026 IIHF ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

15 May 2026 - 31 May 2026, Zurich and Fribourg (SUI)
Defending champions: USA
Group A, Zurich: USA, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Austria, Hungary, Great Britain
Group B, Fribourg: Canada, Sweden, Czechia, Denmark, Slovakia, Norway, Slovenia, Italy

Schedule
Great Britain vs. Austria
Sat, 16 May 2026, 12:20, Swiss Life Arena

Austria vs. Hungary
Sun, 17 May 2026, 16:20, Swiss Life Arena

Latvia vs. Austria
Tue, 19 May 2026, 16:20, Swiss Life Arena

Austria vs. Switzerland
Wed, 20 May 2026, 16:20, Swiss Life Arena

Austria vs. Germany
Sat, 23 May 2026, 20:20, Swiss Life Arena

Finland vs. Austria
Sun, 24 May 2026, 20:20, Swiss Life Arena

USA vs. Austria
Tue, 26 May 2026, 16:20, Swiss Life Arena

Information on World Championship ticket sales at 2026.iihfworlds.com!
Link to World Championship tickets for Zurich and Fribourg (Ticketcorner.ch)
Link to individual matches featuring Austria - (Ticketcorner.ch)
Link to World Championship packages including Austria's matches - (Ticketcorner.ch)