Pres­i­dent Klaus Hart­mann and Head Coach Roger Bader – ÖEHV reac­tions to the NHL Draft

ÖEHV President Klaus Hartmann: “As the Austrian Ice Hockey Federation, we are extremely proud that David was selected, especially with the 5th overall pick in this year’s Draft. David Reinbacher has an exemplary attitude towards ice hockey in general and the national team in particular. It was impressive to see at the recent World Championship that, after suffering an injury in the game against Sweden, he returned to help the team. He is a role model, always ready to pull on the national team jersey and enjoys playing in and for the national team. We wish David all the best for the challenges ahead.”

ÖEHV Men’s Sporting Director and Head Coach Roger Bader charts the young Vorarlberger’s development into a top-5 Draft pick: “He made enormous progress over the past season. He received plenty of ice time with Kloten in the Swiss National League, was among the club’s top 2 defencemen, and did so at just 18 years of age in a professional league. That alone attracted a great deal of attention. He also stood out at the U20 World Championship in Halifax (CAN) and, of course, at the 2023 World Championship in Tampere (FIN) at national-team level. Scouts and general managers therefore came to the conclusion that a long NHL career is possible for him. I certainly expected him to be drafted in the top 10, as all the projections indicated. The fact that he was ultimately selected with the 5th overall pick is sensational and a pleasant surprise.”

As President Klaus Hartmann already mentioned, Roger Bader also believes that the fact he returned after the injury he suffered at the World Championship gave him an additional boost. “It showed that he has resilience,” said the Head Coach.

What happens next remains open at present. As was the case with Marco Kasper last year, it is possible that David Reinbacher will stay in Switzerland for another season. The options of bringing him straight into the team or allowing him to develop in the AHL are also on the table.

“What should be said about David is that, in every Draft preview, he was regarded as the defenceman closest to being ready for a top league, as he already demonstrated that in a professional league last season,” explains Roger Bader.

With Montreal, he has been chosen by one of the NHL’s most traditional organisations. The Canadiens have won 24 Stanley Cups, making them record champions. However, they have been waiting for another title since 1993.

With regard to the national team, Roger Bader highlights both sides of the coin when it comes to Austria producing another potential NHL player in Reinbacher: “For the national team, it is naturally positive when players under contract in the NHL are available for a World Championship. In the bigger picture, I hope that our current three prospects, Marco Rossi, Marco Kasper and David Reinbacher, earn regular places in good roles and positions as quickly as possible. The national team will also benefit in future when they join us. At the same time, there is always the risk that they will not be available. Definitely not during the breaks, and for World Championship preparation and the World Championship itself, it depends on how far they progress in the playoffs with their clubs.”