HDD TILIA Olimpija Ljubljana hopes that the wait was worthwhile after signing Norm Maracle formerly of the Iserlohn Roosters of the German DEL. The 34-year-old keeper had an off-year for his standards so Iserlohn decided to go with two young German netminders instead this season. Ljubljana will need him to find his old form if they intend to reach the play-offs in 2009-10 following a disappointing campaign last year.
Archive for category Austria
24-year-old Cape Breton native Frank MacDonald is the final piece of the 200-10 Linz Black Wings puzzle. The former Rochester Americans defenseman who was not tendered a qualifying offer for next season will instead make the jump to Europe. In 123 career AHL regular season games, he managed only 2 goals.
American defenseman Eric Werner will be trying out for Ljubljana of the Austrian EBEL this pre-season. The former University of Michigan standout did not impress the Augsburg (DEL) brass enough last season to earn himself a new deal there.
Graz re-signs d-man Kuiper
Jul 16
Big righty defenseman Nick Kuiper of the Graz 99ers of the Austrian EBEL will be returning for the 2009-10 season. The Montreal native with Dutch roots arrived in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s hometown last season after a stint in Scandinavia. The stay-at-home defender had 14 points in 60 games in 2008-09.
Enio Sacilotto has been named coach of the new Zagreb team in the Austrian EBEL. The Vancouver, BC native moves over from the Stavanger Oilers of the Norwegian Get Ligaen. The team also announced the signing of forward TJ Guidarelli from SC Riessersee of the German Bundesliga.
Former Austrian national team coach, Ron Kennedy, passed away today after suffering from a brain tumor. The Canadian who spent most of his coaching career in Austria and Germany staged a valiant fight against the ailment for the past few years and even signed a new contract to coach in Innsbruck last season. Unfortunately, he was unable to finish the campaign and asked his good friend, Greg Holst, to take over the team. He will be sorely missed by all in the hockey community.
Kapfenberg next to go??
Jun 19
Rumours are swirling that the KSV Icetigers will soon announce that they are bankrupt. This is not great news for the Austrian Nationalliga which also recently lost the traditional Zell am See club to the same fate.
