"Positive energy": ÖEHV women reflect on training camp in Klagenfurt

In 32 days, the time will come. Austria’s women’s national team will then begin competing in the top division of the Ice Hockey World Championship for the first time in its history. To begin the intensive World Championship preparation phase, the team gathered for a training camp in Klagenfurt from 1st to 4th October. There were several new faces in attendance.

Alongside new General Manager Gina Kingsbury, Assistant Coach Rachel Flanagan of the Toronto Sceptres from the PWHL was also involved for the first time. In total, the staff comprised eleven people. Based at Hotel Sandwirth, the 29 players completed seven on-ice training sessions, four of them at EC-KAC’s Heidi-Horten-Arena.

In addition to numerous video sessions, a medical check-up, doping controls and concussion tests, several players were able to complete the required performance test. Following a positive exchange with Leistungssport Austria, the tests were conducted by Olympiazentrum Kärnten. Also present was Christiane Loinig-Velik, Head of the Institute of Sports Medicine of the Province of Carinthia and anti-doping officer.

The roadmap to Denmark

After four “very positive” days, as captain Anna Meixner put it, decision time now follows for the ÖEHV women’s national team. In consultation with Head Coach Alexander Bröms and the rest of the staff, Kingsbury will conduct another thorough evaluation of all players in the coming days – including, in cooperation with adviser Melody Davidson, those who were unable to attend in Klagenfurt.

“Sooner rather than later” is the General Manager’s motto regarding the finalisation of the World Championship squad. The team is set to gather for a final training camp in Villach at the end of October/start of November before travelling to Esbjerg in Denmark on 4th November (at 15). Austria’s first game will take place against Czechia on 6th November.

Gina Kingsbury, General Manager of the ÖEHV women’s national team: “For the players, it was a bit like a reunion – the group was last together in February, and you could feel the positive energy. We have a very hungry group that is looking forward to the World Championship. We have a good mix of experienced and young players, as well as good goaltending. I am convinced that we can compete at this World Championship – and the players need to believe that too.”

Alexander Bröms, Head Coach of the ÖEHV women’s national team: “The training camp was definitely a step in the right direction; we got important work done. It was good to have the players, who are spread across many countries, back here and to work on details in our playbook. A clear system and a clear structure are crucial for the World Championship. Now we want to finalise the squad quickly so that we can work with the World Championship team.”

Anna Meixner, captain of the ÖEHV women’s national team: “As a team, we were incredibly happy to see each other again, and we are pleased that we can be back on the ice together. You can feel all around that everything is much more professional – it is a great feeling at the moment. Of course, there are still things that need to be clarified, and many new people for us to get to know. But it is all very positive for us. And we are always happy to be in Klagenfurt anyway.”