EHC looking forward to a successful season
It hasn't been the easiest of off-seasons for EHC München, with news from within the club that they may have to drop out of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) due to lack of funds before a rescue package was put in place by new title sponsors Red Bull.
All planning was put on hold for several weeks and many had given up hope of EHC being able to take their place for a 3rd season in the top division after a 10 year climb through the leagues. However, just before the final deadline was reached, an agreement was made with Red Bull to come aboard and as such the newly named EHC Red Bull München have been able to continue their recruitment for a hopefully successful season ahead.
It's now time to try and freshen up last year's squad with some of the old guard making way for new talent. More offensive skill is needed, and adding players who can improve the powerplay and shorthanded special teams is required. There are also several big holes to fill. On defence, the captain for the last couple of seasons, Stéphane Julien, has decided it's time to hang up his skates and several players who helped win promotion to the top-tier have moved on. There was also bad news this week that Eric Schneider, the leading scorer for the past 2 years, has decided to take a break from playing due to a persistent injury. Hopefully he'll get 100% fit and be able to don the EHC jersey again at some point.
Several promising looking new signings have been announced, with young defenceman Ryan Kavanagh, and hard working forward Brent Aubin joining from Salzburg. Big Swede Viktor Ekbom joins from the Finnish elite league to add some size to the blue line and Czech Lubor Dibelka comes in to add some firepower. Add these to last year's league leading netminder Jochen Reimer, key d-men Johan Ejdepalm and Felix Petermann and an attacking unit including local favourites Martin Buchwieser, Uli Maurer and Christian Wichert (the BMW line), and things are looking promising for the season ahead.
Training starts on 12th August with the first pre-season friendly scheduled for the 19th @18:00 against Austrian side EHC Black Wings Linz. The minimum goal for the coming season must be a top 10 finish to reach the play-off qualifiers, but a top 6 finish will be the aim.
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Derby time
Any day is a great day for hockey but a Friday night rival game is arguably the pick of the bunch. EHC Red Bull München, ranked 9th in the league before tonight's game, hosted Ingolstadt Panthers (6th) in front of 3,855 fans at Oberwiesenfeld.
The great atmosphere from the supporters in the stands was quickly transferred down onto the ice and the players responded with a thoroughly entertaining game. München's winger Martin Hinterstocker opened the scoring in the 13th minute, going wide around the goal before...
EHC go five-hole
EHC Red Bull München hosted top of the table Cologne today at Oberwiesefeld. Having lost two of their previous three encounters against the Sharks, München had their eyes on levelling their individual series against the biggest and second heaviest team in the league.
München, ranked 11th (58 points) going into tonight's encounter, were desperate to continue their strong form which took them to a surprising yet deserved 7-6 victory on the road in Krefeld. Without their captain Martin Buchwieser, who was suspended by...
Penalty woe for battling EHC
Coming off the back of a three-point weekend, including a win and a loss on penalties, München were desperate to collect additional championship points in order to keep within striking distance of the top ten.
For the first time in the 2012/13 season, EHC coach Pat Cortina did not have his number one goalkeeper available as Jochen Reimer was out with flu. His backup, Lukas Steinhauer, made some great...
Thank You Gentlemen!
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Hamburg take five and the points
It was the first game since November 2nd that neither NHL import was on the ice for München and some many feared the worst upon realizing that both #11 Stastny as well as #27 Wheeler were absent against a strong outfit from Hamburg. Wheeler and Stastny, both spending some time with their family back home, will return to the ice for EHC on January 4th against Adler Mannheim. Although Kavanagh and Ekbom also missed the game...
EHC break into top 8
Paul Stastny once again decided the opening face-off in his favour and while some fans were still finding their seats, EHC took a 1-0 lead after only 91 seconds. Wheeler and Stastny set up Buchwieser who converted a tap-in to send the 3,753 home fans into a roar of delight, even...
The playoff race continues
German ice hockey dropped to a new low after the national side missed out on qualification for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sotchi, Russia. A 5-1 win over the Netherlands followed an overtime defeat to Italy (2-1), meaning Germany had to beat Austria in regulation time. Despite taking the lead twice in the decider, Austria scored the equaliser (2-2) and managed to hold on to it to qualify for their first Olympia Games since Salt Lake City some 12 years ago. For the first time in 65 years, Germany will not have an ice hockey...
Hockey future in doubt
Following last off-season's drama in which, according to various media reports, the club license had already been sold to Bundesliga club Landshut, fans were hoping for a quiet and settled future with the sole focus on the club's economic and sporting future following the introduction of Red Bull as the new major sponsor of the club. However, rumours regarding the...
Three-point weekend
Without injured Ekbom and Hinterstocker, as well as...
Red Bulls outplayed by top of the table
Mannheim arguably has the most complete playing squad in the DEL including German NHL players M. Goc (Florida Panthers), D. Seidenberg (Boston Bruins), J. Hecht (Buffalo Sabres) and Canadian Jason Pominville (Buffalo Sabres). Supported by one of Germany's finest goaltenders D. Endras, Mannheim are once again...
EHC spread their wings
Ice Hockey is a tough sport played by tough athletes but let's not forget the families who only get to spend as little as three days with their loved ones over the festive period. While European footballers make use of their winter break, ice hockey is a sport that is played right through the festive season. München beat Düsseldorfer EG 4-1 at home the night prior to Christmas Eve, before travelling to nearby Augsburg to battle...
EHC on the way up
EHC Red Bull Munich are on a roll at the moment, having won five consecutive home games. The focus now turns to collecting further championship points away from home. "We've been struggling a bit on the road throughout the season", said head coach Pat Cortina before the game on Friday night in Straubing. "But tonight we're desperate to bring a few points back to Munich."
The game marked a milestone for EHC defender Sören Sturm, who was set to play his 200th DEL game. Sturm has also celebrated making his debut...
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