U18 and U20 national teams train in Kapfen­berg

The U20 squad comprises 34 players. This allows Head Coach Philipp Pinter to work with six lines and have them compete against each other. Only a few players who are already in pre-season preparation with their respective clubs abroad had to withdraw from the summer camp. The large number of players is primarily for assessment purposes.

Philipp Pinter: “We have a very deep squad, including a few new players who have the opportunity to put themselves in the spotlight. In the morning training sessions, we will primarily work through tactical content, while the afternoon focus will be on game situations. This will also allow us to see how the players implement our instructions, how tactically disciplined they are, what their compete level is and who is prepared to push beyond their limits.”

Traditionally, the summer camp serves to set the tone and prepare for the upcoming national-team season, with the major highlight for the U20 coming in December at the World Championship Division IA in Bled (SLO). “In recent years, we have seen that we need to raise our intensity further and be physically present. We have always been a team that skates well and is well conditioned. We want to remain that way and continue to improve,” says Pinter.

At the World Championship itself, Austria will face Kazakhstan, Norway, hosts Slovenia, France and Ukraine. Philipp Pinter: “The difference in the world rankings between eleventh and 16th place is minimal. We want to be correspondingly well prepared. Every camp and every day counts. Many players know us and are familiar with our playing identity and philosophy. Everyone knows what kind of culture we want to create.”

The U18 have a little more time until their World Championship. In spring 2026, from 25 April to 1 May, they will face Lithuania, Korea, France, Italy and hosts Estonia in Division IB, where they are aiming to return to Division IA. Here, too, a total of 34 players will be involved.

The Head Coach himself is also new to the role. Peter Schweda previously coached the U15 and served as Assistant Coach of the U16. As a result, the former professional already knows many players from this age group and can now gain an even broader overview.

“I am pleased that it is finally getting under way. We have a demanding programme and want to implement many of the things we will need during the season and with a view to the World Championship,” explains Peter Schweda.

During the November break, his team, like the U20, will play their first internationals of the season. Details of the four-nation tournaments will follow in the autumn.