Two block­buster clashes in the Divi­sion West – league newcomers HDK Maribor take on cham­pions Kapfen­berg

HC Kufstein vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Sat, 12 October 2024, 16:35, Eisarena Kufstein

There is plenty of fresh momentum in the Division West, where HC Kufstein welcome runners-up SC Samina Hohenems. New Head Coach Andreas Luchner is set to bring fresh impetus to the Dragons, while Ivo Novotny will also provide proven experience in his role as assistant coach. 

Kufstein Chairman Roland Luchner and his team have once again planned an ice hockey celebration, as is customary in the fortress town. ÖEL finalists Hohenems are just the right opponents for the occasion: “Everyone in the organisation and across Kufstein is hugely excited for the start of the season. Having made several changes over the summer, we are eager to see how they will show in our team’s play. SC Hohenems will provide a good indication of where we stand right in the first round. As befits a season opener, the fans can look forward to a great supporting programme, with a DJ before and after the game, as well as a team presentation after the match. In any case, we are ready for the start.”

After losing the final in each of the past two seasons, the title is once again the goal for the Skating Club, under the motto “All good things come in threes”. 

Thomas Sticha, who will once again serve as Head Coach behind the Hohenems bench this season, knows the quality of the Dragons but is naturally convinced by his own team: “After an intensive preparation period, we are delighted that things are finally getting under way again and we are ready for the championship opener. We are certainly expecting an exciting duel in the first game against Kufstein. The Tyroleans have strengthened well in key areas and the quality of their team has certainly increased. However, with our five new signings, we too have added further quality to the team and have no reason to fear Kufstein!”

EHC Lustenau vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins

Sat, 12 October 2024, 17:30, Rheinhalle Lustenau

The meeting between the second league newcomers, EHC Lustenau, and the returning team of WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins is also a genuine highlight and perfectly suits the start of the season. The traditional Vorarlberg club, which competed in the Alps Hockey League last season, intends to make its presence felt in the Ö Eishockey Liga.

Lustenau’s new Head Coach Daniel Fekete and his team are raring to get started: “All the players are now eager for the first match, when points are actually at stake. Naturally, we want to make our presence felt in the league this season, but it is completely new territory for us. In the early stages of the championship, it is important for us to find our rhythm and improve from game to game!”

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins return to the ÖEL after a year away and are looking to challenge with new coaching duo Andreas Sarg and Manfred Burgstaller. The Tyroleans begin their comeback season with a new changing-room wing at the Alpenstadion and young, hungry players, who are to be introduced to the higher pace of the Ö Eishockey Liga with the help of a few experienced players. 

Coach Andreas Sarg is hoping for a good start, but sees Lustenau as one of the league's top favourites: "For us, this is a year to get started; we need to find our place in league competition again after returning. We want to build a team for the long term. We had many departures, but also several new arrivals. Pre-season went well, but we effectively started from scratch. Lustenau are one of the title favourites for me; they have a strong squad with plenty of experience. Our aim is, of course, to reach the play-offs – that would be a dream – but at the start of the season, we first need to take things game by game and continue developing the team!"

Dornbirner EC vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Sun., 13 October 2024, 17:30, Messestadion Dornbirn

To conclude the opening matchday, Dornbirner EC host EHC Crocodiles Kundl on Sunday. The young Bulldogs had to learn some hard lessons in their debut season 2023/2024 and managed just one win in 20 games.

This season, too, the team from Vorarlberg are relying on a young squad, as Dornbirn chairman Christof Schwendinger explains: "We will once again go into the season with a young group and try to earn more points than last season. In Niels Garbe, who studied in Vierumäki, we have been able to appoint a young, highly qualified coach. His aim is to get the maximum out of the young players. But the goal in Dornbirn remains the same: we want to provide a good development pathway and help young athletes reach the top!"

The Crocodiles delivered a strong performance last season by reaching the semi-finals, which the Tyroleans now want to build on. Only a few adjustments have been made to coach Jaro Betka's successful team. The few departures have been replaced by young, hungry players. Kundl also have high hopes for the signing of new first-choice goaltender Jakub Kostelny.

Kundl chairman Gerhard Maier has respect for the Bulldogs, but is heading into the new season with confidence: "We go into this first match with a great deal of respect, but also with the appropriate anticipation for the championship. Dornbirn have certainly improved and will therefore certainly play a much better role than in the past. Nevertheless, we are travelling to the Ländle with the aim of returning home with three points; we are ready for the opening game!"

Division East:

HDK Maribor vs. KSV Kängurus
Sat., 12 October 2024, 18:30, Ledena dvorana Tabor Maribor

The Kapfenberger SV, who had been regarded as one of the favourites ever since the ÖEL began, finally claimed the Ö Eishockey Liga title last season at the third attempt. Following their performances in their championship-winning year, in which the Styrians remained unbeaten, the Kängurus once again go into the new campaign this autumn as top favourites and have naturally stated that their objective is to defend the title.

After one year at ATSE Graz, Stefan Trost will once again play in KSV colours next season. Stefan Derler also returns after a year away from the game. The third new arrival is Rupert Fichtinger, who returns to the Kängurus after one year at EC Bregenzerwald.

The Mürz Valley side, led by player-coach Kris Reinthaler, face league newcomers HDK Maribor. The Foxes from the largest city in Štajerska – also known as Lower Styria – therefore begin their new ÖEL adventure with a blockbuster clash and a real benchmark test.

Jure Verlič, Head Coach of Hokejsko Drsalni Klub - Eishockey Eislaufverein knows what awaits his players on Saturday: "The first game against Kapfenberg will be a good test for us. We know that they were the best team last season, so from the opening matchday we will see what we need to do to keep up with the other teams. We have to play fast, simple and very well defensively, and show them that we are playing in our arena and in front of our fans!"

Verlič wants to reach the playoffs with Maribor, and there is great anticipation in the ice hockey city on the Drava ahead of the start of the Ö Eishockey Liga: "Our goal for the season is to reach the quarter-finals. We are taking it game by game, as we do not know how the other teams play, especially at the start of the season. As a team, we want to be consistent in our game and implement our standards on and off the ice week after week. The entire organisation and team can hardly wait for Saturday and the start of our first ÖEL season!"

ATSE Graz vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden
Sat., 12 October 2024, 19:30, Merkur Eisstadion

A real benchmark test in their very first head-to-head meeting will be the match between ATSE Graz and UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden. Graz progressed to the semi-finals in the previous season after two strong quarter-final performances against HC Kufstein, where they were halted by eventual champions Kapfenberg. However, the home games in the quarter-finals and semi-finals at Merkur Eisstadion in Graz left the Eggenberg side wanting more.

The traditional Styrian club will celebrate a special anniversary in 2025: 50 years ago, Graz became Austrian champions for the first time and ended KAC's run of eleven consecutive titles in 1975. This year, ATSE are relying on a balanced mix of experienced players and talented youngsters. The rejuvenation of the squad is intended to bring fresh impetus to the team, while the experienced players provide the necessary stability and leadership.

Markus Losch, Head Coach of ATSE Graz, is as eager as his team for the start of the league: "The entire ATSE Graz team is already looking forward to the start of the season against Gmunden. Preparation for the new season has been relatively good. As there are a few new players in the squad, there are still some coordination issues, but we will work on those continuously. Gmunden have strengthened very well on paper and I think they will be a very difficult opponent this year. It will be a good benchmark to see how far along we are. I am looking forward to an interesting game and to finally getting started on Saturday!"

The Sharks from Lake Traun are also heading into the regular season following good preparation and with a strong squad.

In addition to the core group that has developed in the ÖEL in recent years around defenceman Jonas Kail – Gmunden's leading scorer among defencemen last season with 18 points – the Upper Austrians have signed Marc-André Dorion, a highly experienced player with more than 500 win2day ICEHL games. The squad of Head Coach Gregor Baumgartner has now been further refined with young talents from the Alps team of the Linzer Steel Wings and the Upper Austria Ice Hockey Academy.

Team manager Günter Kail is confident that the Sharks can thrill Gmunden fans at the ice rink on Lake Traun: "We have strengthened our defence once again with goalie Luka Gračnar and Marc-André Dorion, and have already shown very good performances in the pre-season games. Our objective is clearly to reach the playoffs, although we again expect close games in the Eastern Division behind favourites Kapfenberg this year. We want to offer our fans thrilling ice hockey and continue to increase our attendance figures. Our aim is to break the 1.000 mark at a home game. ATSE have a strong side this year, and we are hoping for a good start!"

The Wiener Eislauf-Verein have a bye on the opening matchday, with the Viennese side beginning their league campaign away to HDK Maribor on 19 October.

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

HC Kufstein vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Sat., 12 October 2024, 16:35, Eisarena Kufstein

EHC Lustenau vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins

Sat, 12 October 2024, 17:30, Rheinhalle Lustenau

Dornbirner EC vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Sun, 13 October 2024, 17:30, Messestadion Dornbirn

Ö Eishockey Liga – East Division:

HDK Maribor vs. KSV Kängurus

Sat, 12 October 2024, 18:30, Ledena dvorana Tabor Maribor

ATSE Graz-Hockey vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden

Sat, 12 October 2024, 19:30, Merkur Eisstadion

Wiener Eislauf-Verein have a bye

All Ö Eishockey Liga tables, statistics and fixtures in the Gamecenter

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