Work commenced

Contrary to claims to the contrary, the Executive Committee of the Austrian Ice Hockey Federation would like to note the following with reference to the applicable law:

1.) Effects of an election challenge/proceedings: The election of the Executive Committee and the arbitration tribunal by the General Assembly is to be regarded as a resolution of an association body pursuant to §7 of the Associations Act. Accordingly, a challenge does not affect the validity of a resolution. Only a ruling upholding the challenge removes the resolution's previous validity. In this specific case, this means that both the Executive Committee and the newly elected arbitration tribunal are fully in office and operational.

2.) Jurisdiction/arbitration tribunal: Pursuant to §11 of the ÖEHV statutes, the duties of the General Assembly include, among other things, the election of three persons suitable for the arbitration tribunal, with a four-year term of office, who may not be members of the Executive Committee. At the General Assembly on 27 June, the election of the arbitration tribunal was held; the elected arbitrators Mag. Hannes Arneitz, Dr Alexander Tomanek and Dr Peter Klumpp were duly constituted and are therefore also responsible for the current examination of the election challenge. Bypassing this internal association body renders legal proceedings before the ordinary courts inadmissible.

Point one in particular is understandable insofar as otherwise a small number of members could render the Austrian Ice Hockey Federation completely "unable to act" for months, which certainly cannot be in the interests of ice hockey.

"Inclusion instead of exclusion"

Furthermore, as already communicated, the constitutive meeting of the new Executive Committee was duly held on 7 July, during which very constructive and forward-looking discussions were held with all employees – with the exception of Managing Director Christian Hartl, who refused any cooperation and left the meeting on his own authority and without being asked to do so.

The new ÖEHV President Dr Klaus Hartmann is continuing to put into practice the announcement he repeatedly made in his inaugural address at the General Assembly in Villach: "Inclusion instead of exclusion". Particularly pleasing were the discussions with two regional association presidents, who had still appeared on the opposing side's election proposal in Villach.

The future of Austrian ice hockey was discussed in an exceptionally constructive manner with both Dr Philipp Hofer (Styria) and MMag. Rainer Partl (Tyrol). Both are, of course, also happy to serve the cause alongside the new ÖEHV Executive Committee and will contribute their full commitment and knowledge to positively shaping the continued development of Austrian ice hockey.

Successful partnerships

The two regional association presidents have also clearly distanced themselves from a challenge to the result of the General Assembly election in Villach, as pursued by several clubs. Unfortunately, these clubs do not accept the facts mentioned above and are thus attempting to obstruct the work of the elected Executive Committee.

Nevertheless, in recent days the new Executive Committee has already been able to extend successful partnerships and coordinate meeting dates, and will continue to make fundamental decisions in the interests of the sport:

- Sporting Director Roger Bader was confirmed as the person responsible for the men's national teams;
- Gerhard Schiffauer was appointed Referee in Chief for a further term of office;
- A meeting with Christian Feichtinger, Managing Director of the two highest men's leagues (bet-at-home ICE Hockey League and Alps Hockey League), has been scheduled;
- The expired sponsorship agreement with Eisner Auto was successfully extended.