NHL season begins: Two Austrians estab­lished, three knocking on the door

Marco Rossi

Are you pleased that the regular season finally starts this week?
Marco Rossi: “Yes, absolutely. The summer preparation, especially the training camps, always feels very long. You are happy when it gets going again.”

How important is this pre-season phase?
Marco Rossi: “The first few friendlies are very important for getting back into it. These games are there to help you regain your timing, feel and flow. The more games like that you play, the better you feel. But then you quickly want to be playing for something again.”

You recently said: "I feel better than ever before." That naturally raises expectations and presumably increases the pressure on you. How have you learned to deal with that pressure in the NHL?
Marco Rossi: “You learn to deal with it. The league is simply tough. There is endless pressure, whether it comes from yourself or from outside. And you always have to deliver. As a player, you know that. It is often difficult, but you also have to enjoy yourself. You have to stay calm, look after yourself and focus on the areas where you want to improve. There is a lot of talk, especially in the media. That is why it is important to have a clear and free mind.”

Last season, you improved from 40 to 60 points – what are your goals for the coming campaign?
Marco Rossi: “Of course, there are always certain personal goals that you pursue. I think I have taken a good step forward, and I know that I have even more in me and can take on responsibility. That is why I am now looking forward to the coming season.”

When would the 2025/26 season be a successful one for you in the end?
Marco Rossi: “As a team, the aim is always to reach the playoffs. That is the first goal. And once you have achieved that, it is naturally the Stanley Cup. You also have to be realistic, but anything is possible in the playoffs.”

Marco Kasper

What expectations are you taking into the season?
Marco Kasper: “I have no expectations in terms of points. I am simply looking forward to the new season and the new challenge. I think we have all worked well over the summer as a team. The mood is good and I am convinced that we can achieve a lot.”

What did you focus on in your summer training, and how has that already become apparent in pre-season?
Marco Kasper: “The focus is almost always on getting stronger and faster. In addition, I have worked on my shot and my scoring.”

You are heading into your second full NHL season. To what extent does the fact that you are no longer a rookie make everyday life easier?
Marco Kasper: “Yes, it definitely makes everyday life easier when you already know the routines. Otherwise, every season starts from scratch. You have to give your best in every game and every training session, and work hard every day.”

How much is already routine for you now?
Marco Kasper: “The routines on game days, especially for home games, are always the same. Everyone has their own routine. You establish that quite quickly. There are things you always do.”

When would the 2025/26 season ultimately be a successful one for you?
Marco Kasper: “It is no secret that we want to get back to the playoffs. We want to continue developing, become stronger as a team mentally and physically, and give our best in every game. If we manage that, we can be confident. We want to play meaningful games in the playoffs in spring. That is our goal.”

How pleased are you that the regular season starts this week?
Marco Kasper: “Very. Of course, you want to win every game in pre-season too, but it is great that the season is starting now and that the first game for points is coming up.”

David Reinbacher

How are things currently with your hand injury?
David Reinbacher: “I think it will take just under three more weeks. Overall, they are expecting four to six weeks, but naturally I am only expecting four. By the end of October, everything should be fine again and I should be able to play.”

How did pre-season go for you, aside from the injury?
David Reinbacher: “It was a great experience to train and work together with Vinzenz Rohrer. He is a very good friend, so it was a great time. It is a shame that he is no longer there.”

What expectations are you taking into the season?
David Reinbacher: “My goal is to get a call-up at some point this year and then establish myself. The first step is to improve month by month and play and learn as much as possible. And, of course, stay healthy.”

Have you already received any information or feedback from the club about that?
David Reinbacher: “Not much at the moment. We are trying to get through this period until I can play again. Then there will certainly be a plan in place. It will then be communicated and discussed what lies ahead for me this year.”

What would make the 2025/26 season a successful one for you in the end?
David Reinbacher: “I would say anything above 65 games and perhaps one or two games in the NHL. Then I would be very satisfied. It would have been a successful season in which I was also able to take the next step.”

Vinzenz Rohrer

You took the leap to North America and the Montreal Canadiens this summer. How was your time there? What will you take from it into the coming season?
Vinzenz Rohrer: “It was a great experience. I would have liked to stay longer to gain even more insight into how everything works and operates. It was something new once again.”

What was the feedback from the organisation?
Vinzenz Rohrer: “Overall, it was positive. I now have another year of development in Zurich, will try to take on a bigger role here and play a lot, and then I want to make another push next year. We will see where it takes me.”

Has this made you even hungrier to make the leap to the NHL?
Vinzenz Rohrer: “Yes. It is always good to gain new perspectives. It is very interesting, it is something new and that is motivating. More of it would be great.”

What goals have you set yourself for the new season?
Vinzenz Rohrer: “Development is the priority. To continue as we have over the past two years, build on that and achieve success with the team.”

What would make the 2025/2026 season a successful one for you?
Vinzenz Rohrer: “In sporting terms, winning the title in Switzerland and the Champions Hockey League would of course be a good start. We have been very successful over the past two years. Personally, it means trying to make a difference and play well in every game.”

Gregor Biber

Gregor, as you did last year, you again attended the NHL Development Camp with Utah Mammoth this year. How did it go for you?
Gregor Biber: “It was more comfortable than last year because I already knew how everything worked. It felt pretty good, and the feedback was good too. The plan is for me to play for Rögle again this season, then we’ll see how the season has gone and whether it is worth going over there. In any case, it sounded very promising.”

What goals have you set yourself for this season? At what point would you say you have developed further?
Gregor Biber: “I think if I get plenty of ice time. We have a very good team with quite experienced defencemen. It is by no means easy to battle your way through there. But if I play my game and get opportunities, hopefully the season will go well.”

How much contact do you have with your NHL club during the season?
Gregor Biber: “We speak very regularly. Utah always asks how I am doing, and we often watch video. It feels like it is no longer that far away. They are happy with my development. Now it is about getting stronger, putting on weight and improving the little things.”

You recently suffered a concussion in a game. How are you doing?
Gregor Biber: “I am taking it day by day. I will not play this week. Next week, we will see whether I can start team training again. But we will not rush anything. I would rather take one or two more days of rest than be out again for a few weeks because I returned too early.”