"Plan A, but also B and C"

The next training camp for the national team under head coach Roger Bader, including a tournament, is scheduled to take place in November.

29 October 20202 min readSource: Eishockey.at

A restart of international ice hockey following the coronavirus-related cancellation of numerous play-off games and IIHF World Championships in the spring is not yet on firm footing. For national team head coach Roger Bader, even training days with his Austrian national team would be an important step towards the season's goal of the World Championship in Slovenia in May 2021.

Shortly before the eagerly awaited start of the season, the international federation cancelled ten World Championships. However, the U20 Top Division World Championship is set to go ahead in Canada. Is that understandable?

Bader: It is understandable under the regulations set by Canada. Hockey Canada can stage a “bubble” World Championship, where participants only move between the hotel and the arena. Canadian television is investing a great deal of money to ensure that this World Championship takes place. The international federation finances numerous other events with the revenue from this U20 World Championship. I therefore think it makes sense for this tournament to be held. The NHL also managed to crown a Stanley Cup champion in the “bubble” in Edmonton.

The national team's important games of 2020, namely the World Championship and Olympic qualification, were postponed to 2021. How are you dealing with that?

Bader: Fundamentally, as the person responsible for the men's national teams, I have to have a Plan A for how we basically intend to complete the season. This provides for a normal programme, with two tournament appearances during the IIHF Breaks, away from home in November and at home in February, as well as five weeks of World Championship preparation in April and May. However, we also know that certain things may change due to the current health situation. Perhaps we will therefore be unable to travel abroad in November. We also have a Plan B and a Plan C for that eventuality. When it comes to preparation, however, we certainly will not give up any training days; Germany and Switzerland are not doing so either.

The full interview with the Austrian national team head coach will be available in the new Powerplay magazine from 3 October.

Powerplay - the official magazine of the ÖEHV

Two issues and a small gift available with a subscription!

Powerplay is the official magazine of the Austrian Ice Hockey Federation. It is published at the start of each season at the end of September and in February/March ahead of the play-off games in the various Austrian championships.

NEW: From 3 October 2020 the new issue of "POWERPLAY" is available.

The new issue includes: