Youth teams preparing for World Championships and Olympic Winter Games
From 10 to 16 December, Head Coach Philipp Pinter's team will battle for promotion back to the top division of the U20 age group. On 7 January 2024, the U18 women's national team begins its World Championship Division IA campaign in Neumarkt (ITA), and shortly afterwards the U16 men will have the rare opportunity to experience the Olympic atmosphere. They will compete in the 3x3 format at the Youth Olympic Winter Games in Korea.
3 min read
Philipp Pinter was given a dual role in the summer. In addition to the U18 national team, he was also appointed Head Coach of the U20, with whom he will battle Kazakhstan, France, Hungary, Denmark and Japan for promotion to the top division at the World Championship Division IA in Budapest in December 2023.
“We have a strong 04 and 05 birth-year group. It remains to be seen whether players such as Marco Kasper, Vinzenz Rohrer or David Reinbacher will be available to us,” explains the Carinthian. The team competed at the U20 Super Challenge in Karlstad (SWE) in the summer, where it finished 5th after three defeats in the preliminary round. “It was an important tournament and an important experience for the boys. The defeats brought them back down to earth and showed them the high level that awaits them at the World Championship Division IA,” says Philipp Pinter whose U18 charges will get serious in 2024.
The summer was used for scouting and putting the players through their paces. The next item on the programme is a Four Nations tournament in Bled (SLO) in November, followed by games against Norway, Denmark and Latvia in February.
U16 travels to Korea for the Youth Olympic Games in January
The U16 national team has been afforded a special honour, travelling to Gangwon in South Korea for the Youth Olympic Winter Games in January. From 19 January to 01 February, the region will host the fourth Youth Winter Games in history. The U16 will compete in the new 3x3 format. Head Coach Florian Mühlstein is permitted to take eleven skaters and two goaltenders, with selection taking place in December.
“Taking part in the Youth Olympic Winter Games is a great opportunity. It is one of the biggest events in winter sport, and there is already huge anticipation,” says Florian Mühlstein.
Women to contest U18 World Championship Division IA in January
In 2022, the U18 national team achieved promotion to Division IA and retained its place last year. Several team camps are still scheduled before the start of the U18 Women's World Championship Division IA in January. In Italy, they will face Japan, Italy, France, Hungary and Denmark between 6 and 12 January 2024.
Youth schedule 2023/2024
November break U20 men
6–12 November 2023, Vojens/DEN
Four Nations tournament with Denmark, Latvia, Norway and Austria
2024 IIHF Ice Hockey U20 World Championship Division IA
10 December 2023 - 16 December 2023, Budapest (HUN)
Japan vs. Austria
Sun, 10 December 2023, 19:30, Budapest
Austria vs. Hungary
Mon, 11 December 2023, 19:30, Budapest
Austria vs Denmark
Wed, 13 December 2023, 19:30, Budapest
France vs Austria
Thu, 14 December 2023, 16:00, Budapest
Austria vs Kazakhstan
Sat, 16 December 2023, 19:30, Budapest
November break, U18 men
6–12 November 2023, Bled/SLO
Four Nations Tournament featuring Slovenia, Italy, Hungary and Austria
2024 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship Division IA
14 April 2024 – 20 April 2024, Denmark – venue to be announced.
Participants: Germany, Denmark, Japan, Hungary, Ukraine, Austria
The schedule is yet to be announced.
2024 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women´s World Championship Division IA
6–12 January 2024, Egna/ITA
Participants: Japan, Italy, Austria, France, Hungary and Denmark
Youth Olympic Games 2024
19 January – 1 February 2024, Gangwon/KOR
3v3 Tournament U16 Men: Austria, Denmark, Latvia, Poland, Kazakhstan, Great Britain, Spain, Chinese Taipei
