Recruiting projects
How the ÖEHV and ENZO bring children across Austria into ice hockey with PEER.
The programme
Programme for the development of ice hockey regions
With PEER, the Austrian Ice Hockey Association and ENZO jointly support the creation and development of recruiting projects across Austria — strengthening the youth work of regional clubs for the long term and getting as many children as possible into ice hockey early on.
The goal is the earliest and easiest possible access to the sport: ice hockey is brought to where children spend much of their day — to kindergartens, schools and regional sports structures. Age-appropriate exercise, playful sessions and close cooperation with the clubs give them their first contact with the game.
The foundation is the work of ENZO, the ice hockey youth centre east (Eishockey Nachwuchs Zentrum Ost), which has developed innovative approaches for working with kindergartens and schools. PEER uses these proven concepts to roll out recruiting models throughout Austria.
- 700+
- children on the ice
- 10
- regions
- 2022
- launched
Impact
What PEER achieves
More children on the ice
Since the programme started, new kindergarten and school programmes have been set up at numerous locations. More than 700 kindergarten children have gathered their first experience of ice hockey this way.
Targeted support for clubs
Regional clubs are supported in their recruiting efforts and guided in building their own youth initiatives and developing them for the long term.
New ice hockey regions
Together with ENZO and the umbrella sports organisations ASKÖ, ASVÖ and SPORTUNION, new ice hockey regions are being built up and strengthened for the long term.
Map
Where PEER runs
From Eisenstadt to the Montafon valley: these regions are part of the PEER programme — the goal is an offering in every federal state.
Burgenland
- 1Eisenstadt
Carinthia
- 2Ferlach
- 3Spittal an der Drau
- 4Steindorf
Lower Austria
- 5St. Pölten
Upper Austria
- 6Wels
Salzburg
- 7Zell am See
Styria
- 8Graz
Tyrol
- 9Telfs
Vorarlberg
- 10Montafon (in preparation)
How a PEER location works
First steps on the ice
Kindergarten children from the age of 5 gather their first experience on the ice over several months: safe movement first, then step by step into ice hockey — accompanied by a qualified coaching team and their trusted kindergarten carers.
Weekly, fully equipped
Groups come to the rink once a week and every child receives full loan equipment. There is one coach per 5–8 children; sub-groups by ability prevent children being over- or under-challenged.
Region by region since 2022
2022/23
Steindorf (K), St. Pölten (NÖ), Telfs (T)
2023/24
Graz (ST), Wels (OÖ), Zell am See (S)
2024/25
Ferlach (K), Eisenstadt (B)
2025/26
Spittal an der Drau (K)
from 2026/27
Montafon (V) in preparation — goal: every federal state
Contacts
Project leads
Clubs interested in joining the programme, or already running recruiting activities of their own, are welcome to contact the ÖEHV at any time.
Florian Mühlstein
Head of Youth Education & Development
Michael Herzog-Löschnig
Vice-President · President of KEHV
Regional Associations · Infrastructure · Events · Recruitment