Philipp Pinter takes over U18 National Team

On an interim basis, Pinter will also serve as Head Coach of the U20 National Team for the rescheduled U20 World Championship in Edmonton (CAN) this coming August. From the November break, Marco Pewal will once again take over as Head Coach of the U20 and guide the team at the U20 World Championship 2023, from 26 December to 5 January in Halifax (CAN). Roger Bader will be on site as General Manager at both World Championships and support the coaching staff.

Following the successful World Championship in Finland, Men's Sports Director Roger Bader immediately turned his attention to preparations for the upcoming summer camps and the U20 World Championship in August. Philipp Pinter has been appointed as the new Head Coach of the U18 National Team, with four-time Austrian champion and former national team player Patrick Harand joining him as Assistant Coach and also accompanying him to the U20 World Championship in Edmonton.

“I am very pleased to be entrusted with this extremely appealing task and would like to thank the Executive Board and Roger Bader for their trust. We will have an initial opportunity to get to know each other in July, when preparations for next year’s World Championship Division IB will also begin. There are many interesting players in this age group whom we will monitor closely and assess over the coming months. The aim is to put together a competitive group in which everyone is working in the same direction,” said Philipp Pinter.

Immediately after the aforementioned U18 summer camp, from 18 to 22 July in Ferlach, preparations will begin for the U20 National Team ahead of the U20 World Championship in Edmonton (CAN). Due to numerous COVID-19 cases, the IIHF cancelled the U20 World Championship 2022 last December and will stage it from 9 to 20 August instead.

Pinter will take over from Marco Pewal as Head Coach on an interim basis, Men's Sports Director Roger Bader: “This is, of course, an extraordinary situation, with two U20 World Championships taking place within five months. Due to the rescheduling of the U20 World Championship in August, Marco Pewal is unable to oversee both World Championships as Head Coach for professional reasons. There will therefore be two different coaching staffs for the two junior World Championships.”

Philipp Pinter has been Assistant Coach of the U20 National Team for the past five years, so he is familiar with the procedures and knows what to expect.

From the November break, Marco Pewal will once again take over as U20 Head Coach as usual, preparing and coaching the team at the World Championship in Halifax (CAN), which starts on 26 December. From that point onwards, Philipp Pinter will be able to focus entirely on the U18, who will compete at the World Championship Division IB in Bled (SLO) from 10 to 16 April 2023.

Men's Sports Director Roger Bader will travel with the team to both U20 World Championships this year and serve as General Manager. He will also provide advice and support to the coaching staff.