View Full Version : Erste Bank Liga 2009/10 teams, transfers, news
RexKramer
03-03-2009, 20:34
Due to latest news I open this thread earlier than expected. In the sports news on ORF television it was just reported that after talks with the main sponsor TIWAG HC Innsbruck has pulled out of the league for next season. Apparently TIWAG was not willing anymore to finance a continuously expansive and unsuccesful team.
This is, if it should really turn out like this, a huge blow to EBEL and Austrian hockey. Innsbruck is one of the traditional hockey teams in the country and for a major Austrian city which has hosted high profile winter sports events such as Olympic games and IHWC not having a team in the top league is a real shame. The last and only time this happened was between 1993/94 and 1999/2000 when todays HCI, after it suceeded EV Innsbruck which folded 1993, spent its early years in the lower leagues.
The news was confirmed on the clubs home page. According to the press release the club is missing revenues from 30.000 planned spectators (the average attendance dropped from 2800 to 2070 this year).
The team will play in Austria's 2nd highest league next year and hopes to consolidate there and come back in few years. Perhaps the last word isn't spoken yet but I doubt that in the current financial situation any sponsors can be found to change this decision.
This could easily start the avalanche that shall collapse entire league within weeks.
Hungary as a country is in serious financial trouble and management of Alba shall have great difficulties in creating a roster capable of anything more than previous seasons. With MOL League as cheaper and moderately successful league, Alba has an alternative until the situation improves.
In Slovenia situation is also dark. Olimpija has until tommorow morning to pay the participation fee for the national championship or face elimination from the competition. Earlier, Olimpija let go most of its foreign players after the failure to qualify for the EBEL play off. Jesenice has financial problems as well. This could mean that Slovenians would have to compete in the own national championship and ask Medvečak to join as well.
The remaining six Austrian teams can then continue to play the Austrian championship but with significantly reduced expenses waiting for better times.
RexKramer
03-03-2009, 23:59
This could easily start the avalanche that shall collapse entire league within weeks.
Hungary as a country is in serious financial trouble and management of Alba shall have great difficulties in creating a roster capable of anything more than previous seasons. With MOL League as cheaper and moderately successful league, Alba has an alternative until the situation improves.
In Slovenia situation is also dark. Olimpija has until tommorow morning to pay the participation fee for the national championship or face elimination from the competition. Earlier, Olimpija let go most of its foreign players after the failure to qualify for the EBEL play off. Jesenice has financial problems as well. This could mean that Slovenians would have to compete in the own national championship and ask Medvečak to join as well.
The remaining six Austrian teams can then continue to play the Austrian championship but with significantly reduced expenses waiting for better times.
Not entirely unrealistic unfortunately. If the financial hardships get so tough to make this scenario a real threat I can only hope that the clubs' decsion makers are smart and cooperative enugh to implement sufficiently cost reducing measures in order to keep the project alive. Salary cap and the necessary cooperative behaviour to implemt such an institution is calling.
RexKramer
04-03-2009, 15:58
After HC Innsbruck has announced its retreat from EBEL (there seems to be a backdoor still as talks with the governor of Tyrol are scheduled and might bring further money for the club) the representatives of the other clubs jump the train and have emphasized how hard it has become to finance a competitive team. As Olimpija and Jesenice are in trouble as well a collapse of the league is feared and appropriate measures discussed. With that respect league president Nedwed has mentioned the possibility of the introduction of a salary cap and said that the point system was meant to be a someting like a salary (or payroll) cap (although it isn't...).
Such a system could be implemented from the 2010/11 season on, for the upcoming season a transitional solution (whatever this may look like) could be introduced.
The eventual loss of Innsbruck might be compensated by the introduction of Zagreb. In the coming days a meeting of league representatives and the club (Medvescak) shall take place.
Forsberg
04-03-2009, 17:37
The eventual loss of Innsbruck might be compensated by the introduction of Zagreb. In the coming days a meeting of league representatives and the club (Medvescak) shall take place.
How sure is that ? Any source ?:c032:
RexKramer
04-03-2009, 18:41
That's the essence of an article by APA (Austrian Press Agency) which was in all media today.
EDIT: I have just listend to an interview with league president Nedwed on ORF Carinthia. A meeting with Zagreb will take place next week but it was scheduled already 4 weeks ago and is not happening because of Innsbrucks possible retreat. The league's first priority is to keep Innsbruck included he said if that was not the case Zagreb could be a replacement. The club presidents will decide about this. The next club presidents' meeting will have its main focus on the reduction of the roster costs.
Nedwed was also asked about the Slovenian teams financial problems. He said that they always have problems but always make it although he doesn't know how. His knowledge is that both will be participating also next year.
Forsberg
06-03-2009, 14:03
http://www.hockeyfans.at/index.php?c=1&nid=24333
Rex, can you translate this, please ? :c032:
RexKramer
06-03-2009, 15:18
Nothing really new in there. The article just says that Zagreb could be a replacement for Innsbruck in order to keep the number of teams at 10 and not falling back to 9 which as an odd number is not so attractive (an argument I find odd ;-). In that respect it is said that less teams could also be beneficial as the dense schedule with 54 games was often critizised this season.
Then there's a reference to a poll on the site which elicits how the hockeyfans think about it. The article claims that the farther north you go in the league the more an inclusion of Zagreb is disliked while the south is in favour of it.
Marc Brunengraber
07-03-2009, 04:59
Sad to see what is happening to EBEL. It seems that many leagues worldwide are suffering in the same way at the moment (KHL, Denmark, Norway, etc.).
Hopefully they all survive and the level of play in each doesn't suffer too badly.
Are there any recent developments about the next season? Are there any plans for introducing some sort of salary cup in EBEL?
I heard rumours about Alba's withdrawal from EBEL. Is there any truth in this?
RexKramer
12-03-2009, 14:50
Tomorrow there will be a presidents' meeting in which cost reduction is an issue. How they are planning to achieve it we'll see. I have not heard rumours about Alba dropping out.
jokke_wiberg
12-03-2009, 16:05
I belive that medvescak representative will also attend presidents meeting on friday. Its a rumour, but medvescak beside its "friends" (VSV) will get votes in favor of entering 09/10 season from kac, rbs, alba, wien and two slovenian clubs. i dont see why G99 would have anything against it also. graz is only 2 hours from zagreb.
Forsberg
12-03-2009, 16:08
I belive that medvescak representative will also attend presidents meeting on friday. Its a rumour, but medvescak beside its "friends" (VSV) will get votes in favor of entering 09/10 season from kac, rbs, alba, wien and two slovenian clubs. i dont see why G99 would have anything against it also. graz is only 2 hours from zagreb.
So, if true, they will get votes from whole league except Linz.
RexKramer
12-03-2009, 16:11
I belive that medvescak representative will also attend presidents meeting on friday. Its a rumour, but medvescak beside its "friends" (VSV) will get votes in favor of entering 09/10 season from kac, rbs, alba, wien and two slovenian clubs. i dont see why G99 would have anything against it also. graz is only 2 hours from zagreb.
That would be close to unanimity ;-). In Linz (some) fans have protested against an inclusion of the bears in one of the last game presenting a banner with the line "if Zagreb comes we'll go". Don't know how representative this is for the whole community but I guess Linz won't be in favour.
Given the EBEL's desire to keep an even number of clubs, Innsbruck's withdrawal should certainly assist in Medvescak getting included into the league. Price reduction is on the agenda, what would be the best way to take care of it? Salary caps, maybe, but didn't the player point system drive up the salaries of Austrian nationals? I remember a RexKramer post about that.
Are there any recent developments about the next season? Are there any plans for introducing some sort of salary cup in EBEL?
I heard rumours about Alba's withdrawal from EBEL. Is there any truth in this?
Nothing is true about that. Alba will participate next year.I don't know who and how found this out.
RexKramer
13-03-2009, 00:17
Given the EBEL's desire to keep an even number of clubs, Innsbruck's withdrawal should certainly assist in Medvescak getting included into the league. Price reduction is on the agenda, what would be the best way to take care of it? Salary caps, maybe, but didn't the player point system drive up the salaries of Austrian nationals? I remember a RexKramer post about that.
Think you mixed something up. The player point system surely dampened the salaries of Austrian players in general because it meant a de facto (almost) liberalization of player imports. Problem is that competition is stiff and the possibilities to generate revenues have stagnated if not decreased for at least some teams (less demand, sponsors quitting...). This is pushing the clubs towards taking considerable risks resp. gives them a hard time financing their costs. If you take into account that several teams depend on their presidents' private wealth it is clear that these guys are keen on cutting the costs. It remains to be seen if they can overcome the "competitive dilemma" and find a solution.
Forsberg
13-03-2009, 22:10
http://www.erstebankliga.at/8f234634abc92fd30763c1e63b89d9bf.html?arrSave[ArticleID]=3920
Rex, can you translate this ?:c032:
RexKramer
13-03-2009, 23:32
Already wanted to post the "news"...
The presidents of the EBEL clubs have agreed on a bundle of cost saving measures. In the mid term "a kind of" salary cap shall be introduced.
Medvescak Zagreb have applied for inclusion in EBEL, the application will be decided about by the 9 clubs in May at the next regular meeting (if Innsbruck really drops out, the league still hopes for HCI to stay, which will not happen).
As often that's just zero information, nothing we haven't known before. I'd be really interested what the cost reducing measures look like in detail. I guess we just have to wait.
Forsberg
13-03-2009, 23:34
How sure is that Innsbruck wont play next season ?
RexKramer
13-03-2009, 23:50
How sure is that Innsbruck wont play next season ?
According to statements from Innsbruck 100%. The rest of the league still hopes but that's whishful thinking as things are now. Maybe the HCI people still have an ace up the sleeve no one knows of but if that's the case they'd better use it soon. My best guess is that they really drop out.
RexKramer
14-03-2009, 12:01
Some details have been reported from yesterdays meeting but the most important one is that nothing has been made definite. Decisions on the various issues have been relegated to the next meeting in May.
For next season the point system shall be applied to the whole roster and not only to the line up on the game sheet. Thereby the teams will not be able to have insurance players on the stands (which nevertheless have to be paid). Apart from that the point system shall be in place as previuosly decided (new point valus for goaltenders and uniform evaluation for all domestic players under 24). Furthermore the league plans to save on costs for administration (which is done by the Austrian federation) and officiating.
Regarding the replacement of Innsbruck, Medvescak's application has been unanimously apporved (that is the clubs have accepted that the bears are a candidate for inclusion) and most likely the club will be invited reports "Kleine Zeitung". A definitive decision on this will however also be taken only in May.
For the future (2010/11) it was said that 2 more teams have shown interest to join - Bozen/Italy and a undisclosed Slovakian team.
Marc Brunengraber
14-03-2009, 16:54
Medvescak will need to increase its budget and use it to strengthen its roster, even in a "watered down," weakened EBEL with teams that will spend less than they did this season.
This year's Medvescak team played well against EBEL bottom dwellers Olimpija in the Slovenian league semi-finals, but still lost two games to one, and were outscored by an aggregate 10-5. That won't get the job done in EBEL. This year's Bears team would be able to compete against Olimpija and Alba Volan, but would really struggle against the other teams.
Bolzano would be interesting, both because of the team's comparative strength to EBEL teams, and because of the Tyrolian cultural connection to Austria and perhaps even Hungary. They'd be a good addition. Would they drop out of Serie A though? That would weaken Serie A significantly, and Serie A is a league that even now is nowhere near as good as it was 4 or 5 years ago.
Medvescak will need to increase its budget and use it to strengthen its roster, even in a "watered down," weakened EBEL with teams that will spend less than they did this season.
This year's Medvescak team played well against EBEL bottom dwellers Olimpija in the Slovenian league semi-finals, but still lost two games to one, and were outscored by an aggregate 10-5. That won't get the job done in EBEL. This year's Bears team would be able to compete against Olimpija and Alba Volan, but would really struggle against the other teams.
Bolzano would be interesting, both because of the team's comparative strength to EBEL teams, and because of the Tyrolian cultural connection to Austria and perhaps even Hungary. They'd be a good addition. Would they drop out of Serie A though? That would weaken Serie A significantly, and Serie A is a league that even now is nowhere near as good as it was 4 or 5 years ago.
with closure of Milano Vipers, italian Serie A decreased significantly this year both in terms of competitiveness and interest. Bolzano's move in Austria (every year there is this same rumour) can only increase the fall. An interesting project as Aquile Pontebba (despite bad season this year) declared last week they want to abandon Italian Ice Hockey League created last season exactly to promote hockey because of less activity of the league. This is another bad signal. Probably most promising project is currently Val Pusteria: some good sponsorship, passionate fans and a clear vision of slow development. Maybe if Bolzano will exit from League, finally federation and Ice Hockey League will try to promote hockey in big cities and not only among the valleys..
RexKramer
14-03-2009, 18:11
Medvescak will need to increase its budget and use it to strengthen its roster, even in a "watered down," weakened EBEL with teams that will spend less than they did this season.
This year's Medvescak team played well against EBEL bottom dwellers Olimpija in the Slovenian league semi-finals, but still lost two games to one, and were outscored by an aggregate 10-5. That won't get the job done in EBEL. This year's Bears team would be able to compete against Olimpija and Alba Volan, but would really struggle against the other teams.
Bolzano would be interesting, both because of the team's comparative strength to EBEL teams, and because of the Tyrolian cultural connection to Austria and perhaps even Hungary. They'd be a good addition. Would they drop out of Serie A though? That would weaken Serie A significantly, and Serie A is a league that even now is nowhere near as good as it was 4 or 5 years ago.
One has to consider that Olimpija laid off most of its foreign players when they were not able anymore to qualify for the EBEL play-offs. In that sense Medvescak played well against an Olimpija B squad. Furthermore I think EBEL won't be watered down so much for next year. Many players will have to accept cuts in their salaries but as other teams in other countries also face financial problems that need not turn out into a substantial movement of talent away from the league. After what we know from the presidents meeting yesterday it is not unplausible to guess that only the depth of the teams will decrease as they apparently want to rule out having "insurance" players (more points on the roster than can be iced in one game). Thus the level of the teams in their top outfit will not imho not change but only something like the average strength of a team including injured and suspended players will. This rule will of course even further favour clubs with farm teams and a strong junior department as these will be the only way left to get a deep roster beyond that of the regular 23 players.
In that light I think Medvescak will need a complete overhaul of their team where only the most talented players of this season can be a part of (as third and fourth liners). Otherwise they will get rolled over badly which will be no good for anyone.
In that light I think Medvescak will need a complete overhaul of their team where only the most talented players of this season can be a part of (as third and fourth liners). Otherwise they will get rolled over badly which will be no good for anyone.
If they do it right, that might change fairly quickly.
Remember that Alba weren't able to compete in their first season, but this year became much more competitive. If that trend continues, they might even have a shot at the playoffs next year. Long shot maybe, but the fact is that once a team gets accustomed to playing a faster game at a higher level, the players will improve to that level over time.
Yes, but you have to have such budget to get such players to be able to gets accustomed to playing at such level which is nowadays significantly high as richer clubs from northern AUT (plus KAC) sets a new standards. And I am afraid the clubs from bottom half wil not be able to chase that standards becouse it's obvious slovene, hungarian teams were showing 100% effort this year, furtheremore they cant be able to mantain such trend in the future due to cronicle financial problems and next year thy are gonna strugle even more...
Innsbruck was the first who realised pushing things beyond the limits dont have any sense.
And so Medvescak's effort to join such competition seems even more patetic..
EBEL nowadays requres minimum of 3mio € budget plus a bunch of competent functionaries and managers to be a decent competitor as a club !
RexKramer
14-03-2009, 18:40
If they do it right, that might change fairly quickly.
Remember that Alba weren't able to compete in their first season, but this year became much more competitive. If that trend continues, they might even have a shot at the playoffs next year. Long shot maybe, but the fact is that once a team gets accustomed to playing a faster game at a higher level, the players will improve to that level over time.
There's a big difference between Alba and Medvescak. Alba features half of the national team of a low end elite resp. top level div. I hockey nation while Medvescak's Croatians are part of a bottom division I national team. Thats a big, big difference.
Apart from that Alba had a shot at the PO already this year, and not even a long one. Ultimately I think that the Bonni/Couture incidents robbed them a very good chance.
There's a big difference between Alba and Medvescak. Alba features half of the national team of a low end elite resp. top level div. I hockey nation while Medvescak's Croatians are part of a bottom division I national team. Thats a big, big difference.
Apart from that Alba had a shot at the PO already this year, and not even a long one. Ultimately I think that the Bonni/Couture incidents robbed them a very good chance.
Alba last year had how many wins compared to this year?
The fact is that it looks like their players improved drastically over last year, after having a year to get accustomed to the speed of the game.
I'm not saying that Medvescak is on the lame level now as Alba was when they started, I'm just saying that there's room to grow into the league, and Alba has shown it.
Do you think the Hungarian NT could have won their way into IHWC if not for the EBEL experience of more than half its roster? I doubt it, personally.
I think that there's still room for Alba to improve as well, and if they can continue to do so, then it won't matter about their budget as much as their effort level. Yes, it was a short run for Alba this year, but you guys have said that their import level was below that of other teams, so if their imports were on par, maybe the rest of their roster might have been good enough to get them into that playoff spot.
And even if not, the fact that their homegrown players (the guys that are most likely to return next year) were as good as the imports means they got more ice time, no? Thus, experience, thus they can continue to raise the level of their game, and so, MAYBE there's a chance of them squeaking into the playoffs. Or at least competing for a spot.
Remember, the team went from dead-last with (i think?) single-digit point total, to not even finishing last and more than tripling their previous point total.
RexKramer
14-03-2009, 23:23
@Steigs
I agree, Alba started from a way higher level and they improved and adapted from the first year to the next. But for them catching up was a must as the league would most likely not have carried a burden in form of a non competitive team for a lot of seasons.
In that sense there may be much room to grow for Medvescak but not much time. Frankly said if they don't come up with a radically improved team they would not be around long enough. And personally I belive that they are way behind Alba not only in the actual level but also in potential. Alba's top players could carry their national team around the medal ranks of division I already before they joined EBEL and they achieved promotion because they have what it takes (EBEL experience helped I guess). Today's Croatian players are nowhere near that.
Forsberg
14-03-2009, 23:31
I think you dont understand one thing. No one of current Medvescak players will play EBEL. Maybe Marko Lovrencic and MAYBE Veljko Zibret. Core of Medvescak EBEL roster will be made of Cro/Can players (Hecimovic John, Sertich Andy and Marty) plus some foreginers.
RexKramer
14-03-2009, 23:50
I think you dont understand one thing. No one of current Medvescak players will play EBEL. Maybe Marko Lovrencic and MAYBE Veljko Zibret. Core of Medvescak EBEL roster will be made of Cro/Can players (Hecimovic John, Sertich Andy and Marty) plus some foreginers.
That is exactly what I meant and what I have written before
After all, radical facelift of the roster is exactly what Olimpija did between seasons 2006/07 when they play Interliga:
http://statistika.hokejska-zveza.si/ekipa.pl?e=1162539025&t=1162538306
and 2007/08 when they played in EBEL finals:
http://statistika.hokejska-zveza.si/ekipa.pl?e=1188662377&t=1188661754
Hot foreign goalie, three U22 foreigners, seven other foreigners makes for 38 points for eleven spots. It leaves 22 points for remaining 11 places. Given the way Olimpija's players were valued this season, I say that none of Croatian players will be worth more than 2 points which means that the challenge in front of Medvečak's management is to found a shift of Croatians capable and willing to turn professionals. The fourth shift can be composed of promising U20 players.
Olimpija managed to get into the finals with Westlund and two and half shifts. Medvečak shall be satisfied with home victories every other match.
jokke_wiberg
15-03-2009, 21:24
austrian fans seems like they are stongly against bears. (those on eishockey forum). especially linz. really dunno why if medvescak can bring decent team they would be usefull adition to the league. success in ebel is only matter of money, and if we get a chance, im sure that club board will bring enough ahl/echl croatian canadians :c150:
we could watch decent level hockey and croatian nt would become stabile div1 factor in two years time :c008:
RexKramer
15-03-2009, 22:18
austrian fans seems like they are stongly against bears. (those on eishockey forum). especially linz. really dunno why if medvescak can bring decent team they would be usefull adition to the league. success in ebel is only matter of money, and if we get a chance, im sure that club board will bring enough ahl/echl croatian canadians :c150:
we could watch decent level hockey and croatian nt would become stabile div1 factor in two years time :c008:
The hardcore fans (= people posting in internet forums) are quantitatively a small group compared to the ordinary hockey watchers...
Linz' fanclub (or the umbrella organisation of the fanclubs) have created an online petition against Zagreb's inclusion. Up to now 30 people have signed. Everyone is entitled to his/her view/opinion but in the end if Zagreb should join in and ice a good squad people will be there. Fans was also very sceptical about Alba and Olimpija but both teams draw decently on the road.
I would heve prefered to have Innsbruck in the league but the club and its management fucked it up - now let's try something else. Zagreb, Bozen (they will not join resp. want to join I guess)....whatever. In my view it just needs to be a club with dedication for the matter and a good squad.
RexKramer
18-03-2009, 12:18
After Füchse Duisburg have dropped out of DEL Red Bulls Salzburg were approached by DEL GM Tripcke to replace Duisburg. Although Salzburg has tried to get into DEL already in the past the Bulls have declined foremost due to the insufficient arena standard (DEL requires a minimum capacity above the 3.200 Salzburg's arena can accomodate). But it has been reported that the two sides will negotiate again in 2 years. So in the not so disatnt future Salzburg might move play in EBEL only with a kind of farm team.
RexKramer
18-03-2009, 13:00
Graz99ers coach Bill Gilligan has extended his contract with the Styrian club. This is quite sensational as he among others also had an 400k Euro offer from NLA powerhouse SC Bern. I guess Gilligan is not maximizing his income with this decision.
jokke_wiberg
01-04-2009, 14:43
bears are a big step closer to ebel.
medvescak board and mayor of zagreb had a meeting. mayor loved idea of high quality hockey league and ice rink shouldnt be a problem.
club will send 8 of 11 documents to ebel in few weeks time and they hope that league will send signals about their participations before meeting in may, so they can start negotiate new signings. mr nedwed offered help with negotiating with sponsor - erste bank.
medvescak will found their farm team which will compete in slovenian championship.
Congratulations are in order for KAC who won its well deserved title. :c239:
What fans to the south of Ljubljana are interested is the time table for the next month or so. Is there going to be any official negotiation between EBEL and Medvečak before the May meeting of the clubs? Are there any new developments about Innsbruck's withdrawal or Bolzano's application?
RexKramer
15-04-2009, 04:05
Medvescak are apparently on track towards EBEL participation reports hockeyfans.at (in a very unbalanced and journalistically not very sound article). All participation requirements have been met including a bank guarantee and a liability confirmation on behalf of the city.
Forsberg
15-04-2009, 15:50
Medvescak are apparently on track towards EBEL participation reports hockeyfans.at (in a very unbalanced and journalistically not very sound article). All participation requirements have been met including a bank guarantee and a liability confirmation on behalf of the city.
Nice to hear that, but I guess that confirmation will come in May at official EBEL meeting, right ?
When did Austrian championshiop became Erstebank Eishockey Liga?
RexKramer
24-04-2009, 09:10
When did Austrian championshiop became Erstebank Eishockey Liga?
It's still the Austrian championship...Erste Bank is the main sponsor since 2002/03 if I'm right.
Interesting rumour in Austria: former nat.team player Martin Hohenberger (last season HCI) is rumoured to get a Croatian passport and play for Medvescac next season (apparently his wife is Croatian).
Forsberg
25-04-2009, 19:27
It's still the Austrian championship...Erste Bank is the main sponsor since 2002/03 if I'm right.
Interesting rumour in Austria: former nat.team player Martin Hohenberger (last season HCI) is rumoured to get a Croatian passport and play for Medvescac next season (apparently his wife is Croatian).
Rex, how serious is that rumor about Hohenberger ?
RexKramer
25-04-2009, 19:56
I don't know. It was also in some newspaper report afaik - but that was only "Kronenzeitung" which means it's in a range from complete nonsense to true with a bias to the first.
If it was true I think it would be cool. MaHo is far from the player he was in his best days but still quite prominent name here.
Forsberg
09-05-2009, 12:55
Medvečak already made some big signings. I know names but I wont tell you until 15.5 when club will have press conference where they will introduce them. :c215:
According to Acroni Jesenice webpage, Bolzano, Medveščak and Slovakian team Lucenec applied for the EBEL league 2009/10. Does anyone know anything more?
Italian federation refused Bolzano's request to join EBEL. I doubt Bozen will persecute this request further for a time being. Anyway, we'll know everything on Friday.
According to Acroni Jesenice webpage, Bolzano, Medvečak and Slovakian team Lucenec applied for the EBEL league 2009/10. Does anyone know anything more?
Lucenec (Losonc) is a pretty small town/city - about 30K people. Can they support a team at this level financially?
RexKramer
12-05-2009, 19:23
Well there's been rumours that a Slovakian team might want to jon since some time but I am more than sure that if it is not a prominent team there is no way the other EBEL clubs will accept it. By all means Lucenec was pretty much dead last in the first division last season and it would be a major surprise to me if they could get a competitive team. And even if they did a weaker team from a stronger nation is not what EBEL is looking for. It's the other way round, strong teams from weaker countries...
That FISG refused to let Bolzano go is not new but Bolzano is afaik not bound by this decision. As provincial capital I have read that they have the right to play in Serie A should they return to after an eventual move to another league. The FISG is against it but ultimately it's HCB's decision I guess. Of course FISG might have other means to pressure HCB but I don't know about any. So let's see what happens. I think that Bozen won't join in this season.
Lucenec (Losonc) is a pretty small town/city - about 30K people. Can they support a team at this level financially?
It has nothing to do with the town itself. HKm Lucenec is the ancestor of HKm Detva. During the last years the relationships between the team in Detva and the town has become very bad, the management lost the support of the town. A new team was established with the support of the town, I think this is HC 07 Detva.
This past season two teams from Detva started in the Slovak 1. Liga, HC 07 Detva and HKm Detva. Later, HKm Detva announced that they will move to Lucenec and changed their name.
More important is, that HKm Lucenec finished last in the Slovak 1. Liga, with -21 points. The reason is that they got a -60 points penalty from the Federation, if I remember well, they iced ineligible players on 20 matches and for each matches they got 3 points penalty.
But the -21 points mean that HKm Lucenec was able to collect 39 points during the season (44 matches), with that they would have been second from behind.
I think the reason for HKm Lucenec is that their management wanted to play in a competition where not the Slovakian Federation is the organiser. But I think their roster for the last season would have been weak even for the Hungarian championships, not speaking about EBEL...
Anyway, Slovakia, being a country with a lot of mountainous regions, have traditionally rather small towns. The population of Skalica is about half of Lucenec, but still they have an excellent team...
That's why I didn't want to comment it myself before. I checked the Lucenec, but as Kramer said, I very much doubt the addition of such team, regardles their homecounty, would be benefitial for EBEL league. Team Zvolen already competed in IHL few years ago (with Slovenian, Croatian and (i think) Hungarian teams) and it didn't draw too much attention - and it was even bigger thing back than to have a team from Slovakia in the league.
Kiraly, on the other hand, Jesenice has a population of 20k... :)
Forsberg
13-05-2009, 12:08
That's why I didn't want to comment it myself before. I checked the Lucenec, but as Kramer said, I very much doubt the addition of such team, regardles their homecounty, would be benefitial for EBEL league. Team Zvolen already competed in IHL few years ago (with Slovenian, Croatian and (i think) Hungarian teams) and it didn't draw too much attention - and it was even bigger thing back than to have a team from Slovakia in the league.
Kiraly, on the other hand, Jesenice has a population of 20k... :)
They mostly used mix team with juniors and seniors from their B team. I remember that Vojvodina beat them...
I was just surprised to see Lucenec bidding for an EBEL team. I didn’t even know the town had a hockey club.
I actually spent a little time there last fall. My wife is from Fulek (Filakovo) and we decided to have the church portion of our wedding in her home town. Our photographer was from Lucenec so we made a few trips to the town.
I would have thought that a town this size would be too small to support a team, but it appears that other small towns are able. Still, as others have pointed out, I don't think this is the direction the EBEL would like to go.
According to Erstebank liga's site, Jesenice's defender Ale Kranjc signed for Vienna Capitals, thus becoming the third player from Jesenice who went to the Austrian capital.
Jesenice's forward Jean Philliphe Pare signed for Graz 99ers.
They mostly used mix team with juniors and seniors from their B team. I remember that Vojvodina beat them...
You are right, i think that Vojvodina beat that team in Slovakia 3-2, ( 6-7 years ago)
Olimpija's defender iga Pavlin signed for Italian team ASV Ritten Sport.
Medvečak is officially accepted into EBEL for the season 2009/10!
Medvečak is officially accepted into EBEL for the season 2009/10!
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Medvečak and Croatian hockey.
Forsberg
15-05-2009, 20:37
When will schedule for 09/10 season will be released ?
Medvečak is officially accepted into EBEL for the season 2009/10!
Congratulations!
Now I just hope the team can put together a roster that will make itself competitive in a much stronger league than they have competed in for the past few years.
Best Slovenian goalkeeper, Robert Kristan signed for Medvečak. From the last season's roster, former Slovenian NT forward, Luka agar, renewed the contract.
Forsberg
16-05-2009, 12:45
Defenceman Toni Bezina (SUI/CRO) is also close to sign contract with "Bears" .
For all the EBEL fans interested in discussing everything related to EBEL with Croatian fans visit the forum on the Croatian Hockey Portal at:
http://www.hrhokej.net/forum/index.php?topic=147.0
RexKramer
17-05-2009, 13:55
First of all, welcome to EBEL Zagreb Bears!
At the EBEL clubs' meeting last Friday and Saturday some organisatorical details have been set as well. The format will remain pretty much unchanged, a 54 games regular season will be followed by PO consisting of quater-, semi- and finals (bo7). In contrast to 08/09 the remaining teams will be crossover re-seeded for the 1/2 final according to their final regular season rank with the better placed team starting the series at home.
The league will start very early (10./11. September) and will end no later than 10. April. In order to get rid of as many of the unpopular Tuesday games as possible there will also be no break during the Olympic games.
Player regulations:
The point system has been modified, if I remember correctly domestic U20 players are now valued 0 points and the limit for age dependend point values of domestic players has been shifted to 24. Imports still cost 4 points and the maximum points allowed on the roster is 60.
New is that 60 is the maximum points for the clubs' entire set of registered players and not only for the set of players on a given day's game sheet. Furthermore, a maximum of 22 players may be registered and as soon as either the 22 player or the 60 points limit is reached only 3 players may be exchanged before the IIHF transfer deadline.
These rules do not apply for domestic U22 players which can be added to the roster anytime (before the IIHF deadline I suppose if from another club).
This regulation shall serve to keep player costs down as in the last season the league said that on average the clubs had players worth 75 points on their rosters and presumably also on their payrolls. Unfortunately (together with other sideeffects) the point system and the 22 player rule does by no means ensure that the teams play 4 line hockey - I even suspect that there is an adverse effect that pushes many teams towards a three line setting with many imports...but that's another story.
Other novelties:
In the last seasons EBEL teams were busy sending videos of supposed and true fouls they deemed sanctioned inadequately by the on ice officials to the disciplinary commission demanding bans for the players in question. This will be no longer possible from the 1/2 final on. Only the commission itself (ex ufficio I guess this is called) may take action against players from this point in time on. Furthermore, any complaint brought to the commision will be priced 500.- Euro.
EBEL teams will from now on only cooperate with specially licensed player agents. Of course, you don't want any people of doubtful reputation in this business but restricting the number of agents might backfire on the teams costs because the remaining agents face less competition and ultimately it's the clubs paying their provisions...on the other hand the clubs might collude with the agents on the expense of the players which is easier if there's only few of them. Not clear to me what this will bring.
EBEL will try to get included in the "Hockey Europe" association of the top leagues of Sweden, Finland, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Switzerland.
This regulation shall serve to keep player costs down as in the last season the league said that on average the clubs had players worth 75 points on their rosters and presumably also on their payrolls. Unfortunately (together with other sideeffects) the point system and the 22 player rule does by no means ensure that the teams play 4 line hockey - I even suspect that there is an adverse effect that pushes many teams towards a three line setting with many imports...but that's another story.
I can see the logic of such a move, especially in conjunction with the 0-point rule for doemstic U20 players. Obviously the goal is that teams will ice three lines of seniors/imports, and this would give most teams the opportunity to ice a number of top U20 players to give them experience at the senior level. This would, if it works, be an opportunity to truly develop the next generation of Austrian (and Hungarian/Croatian) players. This experience at an early age might be enough to develop Austrian hockey to the point that it could become a regular IHWC competitor (as opposed to the current annual elevator ride), and might just give Hungarian prospects a chance to do the same for their country's team in a few years. For Croatia, whose top prospects often leave the sport once they reach senior age, this would be a great opportunity to keep some of them in the sport and bring them along for the long run.
That's a utopian scenario, but I can still hope that it works out this way.
EBEL will try to get included in the "Hockey Europe" association of the top leagues of Sweden, Finland, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Switzerland.
I think that's a fair goal, when taking into consideration that the league is probably as strong (or nearly so) as the Slovak Extraliga of the past few years. Will be interesting to see what this brings.
Forsberg
17-05-2009, 18:51
Medveščak will, of course, rely on foreginers, whether "real" one or with croatian background, but within years to come we could have domestic players that be able to play more important roles then checking line.
I allude on players that plays abroad with great success, Rendulić, Kanaet, Trstenjak, Šilović. EBEL would be prefect oportunity for them to live in their home-grown city and play professional hockey.
RexKramer
17-05-2009, 19:38
I can see the logic of such a move, especially in conjunction with the 0-point rule for doemstic U20 players. Obviously the goal is that teams will ice three lines of seniors/imports, and this would give most teams the opportunity to ice a number of top U20 players to give them experience at the senior level. This would, if it works, be an opportunity to truly develop the next generation of Austrian (and Hungarian/Croatian) players. This experience at an early age might be enough to develop Austrian hockey to the point that it could become a regular IHWC competitor (as opposed to the current annual elevator ride), and might just give Hungarian prospects a chance to do the same for their country's team in a few years. For Croatia, whose top prospects often leave the sport once they reach senior age, this would be a great opportunity to keep some of them in the sport and bring them along for the long run.
That's a utopian scenario, but I can still hope that it works out this way.
The aim is pretty clear but it think it is by no means guaranteed that it works out like this. Take for instance the following strategy:
11 imports (two top lines plus a #1 goalie) - 44 points
5 Austrian overage players with 3+ points average - 15 points makes a total of 60 pts.
If the imports and the 5 domestic overagers are of top quality you can afford to have a mediocre fourth line (U22 players) and still be a contender for a top spot. Call it the Vienna Capitals model.
I am just not in favor of artificially forcing clubs to put underage players on the roster (there's no guarantee they'll actually see ice time). What Austria lacks is developing a somehow bigger number of pro fit players. The development of a hockey player takes about 15 years from the start to get into the pro ranks and as you can't fix the level of play in the league bureaucratically (nor which players do really get ice time) just forcing clubs to have youngsters on the roster doesn't guarantee anything.
Austrian clubs need to INVEST in youth hockey and there's imho every reason to be sceptical that such a rule will actually induce such an investment. I don't want to talk things down compared to the other lower elite teams our underage teams did very ok in the last years (the U20 got promoted beating the highly praised Danes....) but that's what's to be done.
Apart from this Austria despite the elevator rides in the last 5 years has the potential to stay up. EBEL is not to blame that more than an entire line of first choice players were injured, the Germans sucked and that players of good international standard played so sh****.
If one or two teams can show that a strong 4th line of underage players can strengthen the entire team in terms of getting further in the playoffs, or in filling in for injured players, I can't see how the rest of the league wouldn't take notice and try to build up their junior programs to try and develop a solid 4th line of their own (and from their develop their own future stars, which wouldn't hurt the team's development in the long run either).
All it takes is one or two teams to successfully work this model and the rest should follow suit. I'm wondering if those one or two might not be the Austrian teams though, but maybe the Slovenian, Hungarian and Croatian clubs, since their talent pools are not as deep and top juniors might actually prove to be useful additions to their rosters.
RexKramer
17-05-2009, 20:27
If one or two teams can show that a strong 4th line of underage players can strengthen the entire team in terms of getting further in the playoffs, or in filling in for injured players, I can't see how the rest of the league wouldn't take notice and try to build up their junior programs to try and develop a solid 4th line of their own (and from their develop their own future stars, which wouldn't hurt the team's development in the long run either).
All it takes is one or two teams to successfully work this model and the rest should follow suit. I'm wondering if those one or two might not be the Austrian teams though, but maybe the Slovenian, Hungarian and Croatian clubs, since their talent pools are not as deep and top juniors might actually prove to be useful additions to their rosters.
Klagenfurt and Salzburg did it this season, Villach as well - still some others (like voluntarily retreated HC Innsbruck or Vienna) concentrated everything on 3 at least nominally very good lines. The point is that some of the clubs' youth programs are at best mediocre and face problems that are hard to overcome. It's not like that saying "hey let's just start and produce a handful of top prospects" is enough. It akes years and years, most likely a span of time that is beyond the planning horizon of rather short sighted pro teams. Furthermore jump starting a youth program involves so many more factors (the communities as they typically own the rinks, authorities, sports agencies, schools....) that even if a club would want to shift to a higher gear it need not be feasible in the short term. And no rule imposed on the pro teams can solve these issues, that's the problem.
Forsberg
18-05-2009, 14:15
SUI / CRO defender Toni Bezina signed contract with Bears .
http://www.planetehockey.com/news_detail.php?id=12607
I think Medvečak will have a very competitive team in the upcoming season. On the other hand Jesenice will likely loose a lot of important players (Romdman brothers, Pare to name just a few).
We are certainly in to a very interesting season.
Acroni767
22-05-2009, 00:03
Medvjedi you're welcome - I belive now many hockey fans will come to see the games between Jesenice & Olimpija vs Medveščak, not only because medvjedi will play with some slovenian players but mostly because bright history of this team when you have a great russian players and a coach I think Kostriukow - on those times both slovenian teams were lucky to win on home ice while it was almost impossible in Zagreb ...
Forsberg
25-05-2009, 13:53
Ex team mate of Thomas Vanek from University of Minnesota, Andy Sertich (USA/CRO) is new member of Medvečak.
Andy Sertich's (http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=64549) page in the Internet Hockey Database.
jokke_wiberg
25-05-2009, 20:16
vanja belic also signed for medvescak.
http://www.eurohockey.net/players/show_player.cgi?serial=47436
he will be backup netminder for the croatian club
Forsberg
25-05-2009, 23:36
vanja belic also signed for medvescak.
http://www.eurohockey.net/players/show_player.cgi?serial=47436
he will be backup netminder for the croatian club
I hope he wont be counted with 4 points :c150:
RexKramer
31-05-2009, 19:02
Alba Volan 19 will host a 4 team tournament in memory of Gabor Ocskay in the beginning of September. Participating teams will be Alba, Capitals, KAC and Olimpija.
Marc Brunengraber
31-05-2009, 21:43
EBEL has become quite the cosmopolitan league!
Looking like an interesting upcoming season.
Sorry to see that it looks as if Acroni Jesenice will be very weakened, though.
Still waiting for that NY Rangers - Black Wings Linz game, Rex. Given the Rangers' offensive woes, maybe your guys would have a shot at winning. :)
RexKramer
31-05-2009, 22:07
EBEL has become quite the cosmopolitan league!
Looking like an interesting upcoming season.
Sorry to see that it looks as if Acroni Jesenice will be very weakened, though.
Still waiting for that NY Rangers - Black Wings Linz game, Rex. Given the Rangers' offensive woes, maybe your guys would have a shot at winning. :)
The Wings would fly over MSG and soundly spank this broadway guys' asses, I have no doubt buddy!
Concerning EBEL, I am a little bit frightened about, what a coincidence, competitive balance. Vienna Capitals have predated Jesenice's roster (signed the Hotrods and top defenseman Kranjc, JP Pare moved to Graz) and there's been not much news about adequate replacements. Olimpija confirmed their coach at least lately but news from Ljubljana are that the club will cut on expenses drastically and plans to send a very young squad into competition.
Zagreb did some promising signings but they still have to add many more to get a competitive squad. Alba seems to gear up, apparently they negotiate with some high poifile Hungarians (Vas, Ladyani...) which is good news. Linz' squad will remain pretty much the same, VSV will probably lose ground, Graz has improved the roster imho. From KAC and Salzburg there have not been too much news but one can expect them to be strong again. I for my part am quite curious about the new players Red Bulls will present. The club is financially strong and with other clubs even on top leven across Europe cutting budgets I guess some very good players might be attracted by Salzburg's soft drink Euros.
Forsberg
31-05-2009, 22:32
Zagreb did some promising signings but they still have to add many more to get a competitive squad.
Medvescak made around 10 signings already, but club board said that they will announce in public one name per week.
RexKramer
31-05-2009, 23:18
Medvescak made around 10 signings already, but club board said that they will announce in public one name per week.
That's good promo work. So far we know Intranuovo, Yarema, Kristan, Bezina, Belic, Sertich, Zagar, if I'm right. I'm curious what comes next.
Forsberg
31-05-2009, 23:33
That's good promo work. So far we know Intranuovo, Yarema, Kristan, Bezina, Belic, Sertich, Zagar, if I'm right. I'm curious what comes next.
Intranuovo and Yarema were just rumors. :)
RexKramer
01-06-2009, 09:13
Really, I though that was a fact...my bad.
jokke_wiberg
01-06-2009, 09:35
i doubt about intranuovo and yarema. not worth 4 points.
north americans with croatian passport from ahl/echl should be better then those two, plus they would cost 2-3 pts.
I don't think we sould be worried for Jesenice, as long as something radically wrong happens before the season starts. There were numerous preseasons in 8the past, when Jesenice looked 'beaten', but managed to build a decent team at the end.
Croatian Canadian player, John Hecimovic (http://www.eurohockey.net/players/show_player.cgi?serial=100298) signed for Medveščak. He played five seasons in Ontario Hockey League, followed by two seasons in ECHL. Last season, he played for Dutch team, Den Haag.
Croatian Canadian player, John Hecimovic (http://www.eurohockey.net/players/show_player.cgi?serial=100298) signed for Medvečak. He played five seasons in Ontario Hockey League, followed by two seasons in ECHL. Last season, he played for Dutch team, Den Haag.
Probably best sign for Medvescak, I think he will be the best scorer in this new team.
In Holland league he was some of best scorers!!!
Good luck Medvescak.
Forsberg
03-06-2009, 19:19
Probably best sign for Medvescak, I think he will be the best scorer in this new team.
In Holland league he was some of best scorers!!!
Good luck Medvescak.
Yes, but Holland league is not EBEL. I think he will be good scorer for us, but I would be suprised if he will be best. Lets wait for start of season. We will be smarter then. :)
p.s. thanks for support, we will need it :)
jokke_wiberg
03-06-2009, 19:38
Probably best sign for Medvescak, I think he will be the best scorer in this new team.
In Holland league he was some of best scorers!!!
Good luck Medvescak.
he only has echl experience + 2 PPG in holland, ebel is a class above dutch league.
i see him in 2 or 3 line, i would even say that he wont be in bears top signings this summer
Forsberg
03-06-2009, 19:46
he only has echl experience
Yes, but he was strong ECHL player, not fringe one, so he is still nice addition to EBEL, as you say 2nd or 3rd line. :c032: Just fine for domestic player :c008:
jokke_wiberg
03-06-2009, 19:50
yup, nice local fellow.
id love to see him and dozen like him in div1 wc 2011 ;)
RexKramer
03-06-2009, 19:51
Yes, but he was strong ECHL player, not fringe one, so he is still nice addition to EBEL, as you say 2nd or 3rd line. :c032: Just fine for domestic player :c008:
His ECHL numbers are decent but he has never made it to the AHL. I guess the stats from the Netherlands are ok too but the difference between these two leagues is too big that it really means something. Given that the typical import in EBEL is of AHL caliber (played most his pro games in NA in AHL not in ECHL) he will have something to prove. For a "domestic" player he will be fine I guess but Bears need some higher profile guys as well in order to achieve anything.
Forsberg
03-06-2009, 20:03
His ECHL numbers are decent but he has never made it to the AHL. I guess the stats from the Netherlands are ok too but the difference between these two leagues is too big that it really means something. Given that the typical import in EBEL is of AHL caliber (played most his pro games in NA in AHL not in ECHL) he will have something to prove. For a "domestic" player he will be fine I guess but Bears need some higher profile guys as well in order to achieve anything.
True, but as You said, for "domestic" player he is more than fine. Medvescak board said that roster plan for premier season is 7-8 cro/can ECHL/AHL experience, 5-6 "real" foreginers and rest of team cro NT players.
There are some high-calibre Can/Cro players in AHL like Nick Drazenovic and Marty Sertich, but both of those are still trying to crack NHL lineup. If they dont within season - or two we can see them in Bears jersey as well.
I really hope that our coach sometimes will change ibret-vigir-Mlađenović line during season with some young guns from farm team like Blagus, Lovrencic jr, Cunko jr. :c150:
Forsberg
03-06-2009, 20:04
yup, nice local fellow.
id love to see him and dozen like him in div1 wc 2011 ;)
If MUP will be faster than in Pirnat case, we will see them :)
Hecimovic is (or at least was) a good player who needed help from line mates. While here in Pensacola the first season, he was on a line with David Wrigley (http://www.eurohockey.net/players/show_player.cgi?serial=120018) and either Rob Rankin (http://www.eurohockey.net/players/show_player.cgi?serial=119009) or Dwayne Hay (http://www.eurohockey.net/players/show_player.cgi?serial=128520). There was some discussion over who was making who look better Wrigley or Hecimovic and based on their stats and performances after that 06-07 season, I'd say Hecimovic needed Wrigley more than Wrigley needed Hecimovic.
Don't get me wrong, I love his game and he is a good player he just needs the right line mates. His 2 assists in the 5 games he played for Pensacola in 07-08 were lucky plays that were lucky bounces. Any goals that season were lucky. His play seemed sloppy and he seemed distracted. That may have been because he was negotiating to go back to Europe, but I'm not sure.
He has since destroyed the Eredivisie and I think he will be a 2nd liner or maybe 3rd as his 6' 2", 225 lbs body could make a good bruiser.
A typical EBEL star forward is a greybeard in his late thirties who, after few years in AHL, went to Europe, played several seasons in Germany and Switzerland and then went to Austria to get some final money before the retirement.
I guess their best asset is enormous experience they built over a decade of playing in German speaking surrounding. This is something relatively young Medveščak's Croatian-Americans would have to compensate by superior skating and agility.
Both Sertich and Hecimovic are offensive minded players and Medveščak will need at least two experienced blue liners to handle a kind of players I mentioned above. Neither Bezina nor Sertich had much opportunity played against such opponents and I'm afraid they could draw a lot of penalties in the process.
RexKramer
03-06-2009, 23:02
A typical EBEL star forward is a greybeard in his late thirties who, after few years in AHL, went to Europe, played several seasons in Germany and Switzerland and then went to Austria to get some final money before the retirement.
I guess their best asset is enormous experience they build over a decade of playing in German speaking surrounding. This is something relatively young Medvečak's Croatian-Americans would have to compensate by superior skating and agility.
Both Sertich and Hecimovic are offensive minded players and Medvečak will need at least two experienced blue liners to handle a kind of players I mentioned above. Neither Bezina nor Sertich had much opportunity played against such opponents and I'm afraid they could draw a lot of penalties in the process.
Greybeard :c239:...
You're not far off I think. I'd put it like this: the EBEL STAR forward is a greybeard in his (mid to) late thirties who played a season in the AHL with quite some games in the NHL, went to Europe....that's the star forwards (Murray, Shantz, Guolla, Elick, Lebeau)...
The average EBEL import is pretty much the same just without the NHL. Some years ago the EBEL teams typpically hired North Americans who spent most of their time in the ECHL some even in CHL or UHL. That has definitely changed and I'd say that if we take the average share of games in the various NA pro leagues for the NA imports I'd bet that more than 50-50 percent are in the AHL. For the games in European leagues I guess more than 50% on average have been made in DEL/NLA/SEL and SML.
If Bears are going for younger players the measure to compare them is the younger imports Salzburg hires. If they can get close to this quality the track the club is on is promising.
Hecimovic is imho an ok start and shouldn't be 4 decently invested 4 points. Nothing more nothing less according to the paper.
Forsberg
03-06-2009, 23:28
the track the club is on is promising.
brm would kill you !:c261:
My biggest question is whether all these Canadians of Croatian background actually hold Croatian citizenship, or if they've just been hired because of Croatian names.
In any case, it will be an interesting year, and I hope the 4 or 5 roster spots left for actual Croatian players (the guys from the NT) are enough to help Croatian hockey at the national team level, and as a whole in terms of growing interest and participation in the game. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if this will be the case or not at this moment in time.
jokke_wiberg
04-06-2009, 01:18
My biggest question is whether all these Canadians of Croatian background actually hold Croatian citizenship, or if they've just been hired because of Croatian names.
In any case, it will be an interesting year, and I hope the 4 or 5 roster spots left for actual Croatian players (the guys from the NT) are enough to help Croatian hockey at the national team level, and as a whole in terms of growing interest and participation in the game. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if this will be the case or not at this moment in time.
i wanna know about citizenship too. but even if they dont have it now, all those are likely 2nd generation in NA, meaning that their parents left croatia. they can easily get croatian citizenship. just a simple procedure.
Article 3
Croatian citizenship shall be acquired:
1. by origin;
2. by birth on the territory of the Republic of Croatia;
3. by naturalization;
4. according to international treaties.
Article 4
A child shall acquire Croatian citizenship by origin if:
1. both of his or her parents were, at the time of his or her birth, Croatian citizens;
2. one of his or her parents was, at the time of his or her birth, a Croatian citizen, and the child was born in the Republic of Croatia;
3. one of his or her parents was, at the time of his or her birth, a Croatian citizen, while the other was a stateless person or a person whose citizenship was unknown, and the child was born abroad.
The child who is a foreign citizen or is a stateless person, shall acquire Croatian citizenship by origin, if, according to the provisions of a special Law, he or she was adopted with kinship legal effect by Croatian citizens. Such a child shall be deemed to be a Croatian citizen from the moment of his or her birth.
p.s. if anyone wants to become croatian citizen, law on citizenship is on following link :)
http://www.coe.int/t/e/legal_affairs/legal_co-operation/foreigners_and_citizens/nationality/documents/national_legislation/Croatia-The%20Law%20on%20Croatian%20Citizenship.asp
Forsberg
04-06-2009, 01:25
My biggest question is whether all these Canadians of Croatian background actually hold Croatian citizenship, or if they've just been hired because of Croatian names.
Hecimovic has relatives in Zapresic, little town near Zagreb. Potential signing Tom Zanoski was born and lived 9 years in Zagreb. Dario Kostovic was born in Split. Toni Bezina was born in Swiss, but his brother Goran was born in Split too. Michael Novak has grandpa in Zagreb. Sertich is typical croatian surname. Oreskovic too, although he wont come this season. Drazenovic is from one little town from Lika. In one interview when he played in WHL he said that he would love to visit ; a place in Croatia where his father was born. Kaleta surname is clear dalmatian coast surname. Vlasic surname is from Vela Luka, a little town/village near Dubrovnik.
:)
jokke_wiberg
04-06-2009, 01:29
facebook makes miracles
anyway, hope that all the cronucks will stay in medvescak for two seasons, so we can beat slovenia and fight for a promotion to elite division :D
Jesenice held a press conference yesterday and some important decisions had been made. First of all, team actually decided to continue to play on the highest level possible, at the moment this is EBEL league. Team president Slavko Kanalec made a point, that they have actually consider dropping out of the league, but at the end decided to give it another go.
They made a sanation plan (not sure if this is the right phrase?:)), which should take from 4 - 6 years. Team Acroni Jesenice is deeply in red numbers, -1,6 million EUR deep.
For the new season, mr. Zvone Suvak was confirmed as a sporting director and he will only have a budged of 700,000 EUR to build a team. Homegrown players were asked for understanding, since the contracts would have to be cut quite drastically.
Even though the budget will be the smallest in our history, I have no doubt that we will have a competitive team. It might not be a top-notch "12 wins a row" or "staying at the top for a month" team, but I believe Jesenice will be a serious playoff contender. As long as the new management stay on the right track.
As far as the roster is concerned, mr. Suvak said that the contracts would have to be cut, probably for around 30% - 40%. He will put more attention to youngsters, while some older players would leave the team.
Anyway, as it was said in the conference, Icehockey in Jesenice reached the bottom after the last season and from now on it's on his way up again. And this can only be good.
My biggest question is whether all these Canadians of Croatian background actually hold Croatian citizenship, or if they've just been hired because of Croatian names.
In any case, it will be an interesting year, and I hope the 4 or 5 roster spots left for actual Croatian players (the guys from the NT) are enough to help Croatian hockey at the national team level, and as a whole in terms of growing interest and participation in the game. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if this will be the case or not at this moment in time.
There is every intention on behalf of the Medvečak's management to get Croatian passports for all Croatian Canadians (and Americans). One reason is to reduce the number of points, but equally important reason is to increase the strength of the national team so that we no longer have to fight for the very survival in division I.
From what I heard from people close to Medvečak, there will be a Croatian line, composed of the players with extensive experience from Interliga and IIHF championships. If anything, these guys learnt how to play defensively.
The medium term basis for participation in EBEL is to create a fully professional team in Croatia so that top Croatian prospects actually have a place to play if they are good and ambitious enough to pursue the career of professional player. Many talented prospects stopped playing because even the beer league like Croatian championship was too demanding for someone who had a regular job or was at college.
jokke_wiberg
04-06-2009, 18:28
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=31406
Forsberg
04-06-2009, 18:44
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=31406
Welocme M.N. :)
p.s. We demand that next signed player must be Marc-Edouard Vlasic otherwise we will demonstrate on Zagreb main square. :c256:
RexKramer
04-06-2009, 19:30
Welocme M.N. :)
p.s. We demand that next signed player must be Marc-Edouard Vlasic otherwise we will demonstrate on Zagreb main square. :c256:
Are you sure that the 5 of you...well there's Drax, Jokke, yourself, sorry, the three of you will get noticed :c215:
But hey, you could get Stolbun back and make it four! :c261:
Guess you got to be very inventive to cause enough power of the people spirit in order to get Vlasic ;-)
Marc Brunengraber
04-06-2009, 19:51
Who are you guys proposing to send to San Jose in exchange for Vlasic? :)
jokke_wiberg
04-06-2009, 20:21
Are you sure that the 5 of you...well there's Drax, Jokke, yourself, sorry, the three of you will get noticed :c215:
But hey, you could get Stolbun back and make it four! :c261:
Guess you got to be very inventive to cause enough power of the people spirit in order to get Vlasic ;-)
just a spark can cause a fire :c008:
we gave vlasic pickles to north america, now we demand something back!
marc-edouard & joe sakic will be just fine.
Damir Gojanović :D our captain and the owner of the club :D
jokke_wiberg
04-06-2009, 20:25
Damir Gojanović :D our captain and the owner of the club :D
:c261::c261::c261::c256::c205:
trade of the century
RexKramer
06-06-2009, 13:25
Raimund Divis (Vienna Capitals) has transfered to Natioanlliga team VEU Feldkirch. This move caused quite some irritation among observers (including myself). Divis played a very good season for the Caps and as a defensive oriented forward (center) he had a very decent scoring output and played his part which includes a lot of PK ice time) rock solid.
The first surprise concerning Divis was that he was not nominated for IHWC 09 and retrospectively I believe it was a big mistake by NT coach Bergström as on the center position of the second and third line Austria had huge problems defensively. Now the second surprise is that Divis apparently could not land a contract in EBEL anymore. Given that Innsbruck dropped out and only 6 AUT teams are left it was clear that some Austrians would have to leave the league (especially players above 24yrs who are probably overvalued evaluation system) but that a proven pro like Divis would be among them is definitely a surprise. Of course, we don't know how his own strategy in terms of salary demands affected this outcome but it was definitely not to be expected.
A similar story seems to be evolving around hockey's eccentric grinder Markus Peintner. After a modest season with VSV he played a decent IHWC tournament presenting himself as a gritty and solid checking liner. Peintner up to date still has no contract with an EBEL team despite that they are mostly pretty far advanced in their roster formation. So at the moment it is unclear where he will end up for next season. Eliteprospects for instance lists him as in contact with Japanese teams...(although that'd really surprise me).
Former Innsbruck, Jesenice and Vienna Capitals player, forward Aaron Fox (http://www.eurohockey.net/players/show_player.cgi?serial=27854) signed for Medvečak.
RexKramer
08-06-2009, 12:53
Former Innsbruck, Jesenice and Vienna Capitals player, forward Aaron Fox (http://www.eurohockey.net/players/show_player.cgi?serial=27854) signed for Medvečak.
Cool signing. If he gets back to the shape of the seasons before 08/09 (he had a very long lasting hand/wrist injury) and has the right line mates he will score a lot of goals for the Bears.
Acroni767
08-06-2009, 22:33
Yes thats a good choice for Medvjedi and another one is to sign up Ex Jesenice coach Doug Bradley,too! Seems very promising!
jokke_wiberg
09-06-2009, 08:45
steigs, i checked it out.
sertich, bezina & hecimovic had croatian passport even before their signed contract for bears
New players in Alba Volán 19 (http://forums.internationalhockey.net/showpost.php?p=152115&postcount=24).
Croatian forward, Michael Novak signed for Medvečak.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=31406
Gregor Polončič, Damjan Dervarič, Boris Pretnar, Uroš Vidmar, Peter Škrabelj, Sašo Rajsar and Žiga Svete were given opportunity to find a new team, while Aleš Remar (Milano Rossoblu), Rok Tičar (Timra J20) and David Slivnik (VSV Villach) are being targeted by their home team Jesenice for the upcoming season. The biggest battle is already won, though, after Tomaz Razingar signed a contract for another season yesterday. Conrad Martin is looking for a new team, although he still has an offer from Jesenice.
Otherwise, hockey workers in Jesenice are building a healthy atmosphere at the moment. It's obvious, that the team will be much different (probably weaker as well), but hockey will still be played in Jesenice. And that is what is most important at the moment.
This move should be good for Croatia, if they're having teams now playing in EBEL. Always good to see the promotion of more hockey in lesser developed countries.
Canadian defender, Alan Letang signed for Medvečak. Last season he played for Innsbruck where he arrived after four seasons spent in DEL, in Hamburg Freezers and Nürnberg Ice Tigers.
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=19450
RexKramer
20-06-2009, 12:39
Markus Peintner has finally found a new club. Not too surprising he will play for Graz99ers in the upcoming season. The 99ers have signed a number of higher profile domestic players and will if things work out as one can expect Graz will be a very different team compared to the last years. With signing Bill Gilligan as coach they have improved a lot already last season but now the club has seemingly overcome its greatest weakness namely the lack of higher profile domestic players.
Marc Brunengraber
20-06-2009, 19:26
A couple of questions:
Rex-
Is Grumet-Morris staying in EBEL this upcoming season?
Drax / Jokke -
How do Croatian fans feel about the fact that basically all of Medvescak's current roster will no longer be with the team next year, given that most of them are home grown Croatians? Are they upset about that? Or are they happy that the team will be a stronger club playing in a stronger league, despite the fact that they may take their lumps compared to the even stronger, long established EBEL clubs? Would the fans rather see the Bears be a big fish in a small pond, or a small fish in a big pond? Will the dual Canadian-Croatians be welcomed as "true" Croatians?
Given the fact Medveščak once already was a big club, I don't think the fans would mind being a (compared to last seasons) big team again. After more than 20 years, we should see tight rivarly games Medveščak : Jesenice and Olimpija again and I think those true Medveščak fans are really looking forward to see it again.
Anyway, I'm glad to see some really good players signing for Medveščak. Fox and Letang are proven veterans, expensive, but they will provide quality hockey for Bears.
RexKramer
20-06-2009, 20:13
@Marc
What I know is that DGM won't be with the 99ers next season. They have signed Sebastien Charpentier and have two homegrown youngsters (Weinhandl and Goriupp) as back ups.
And if I'm not completely wrong most EBEL #1 netminder spots are already occupied. So I guess we won't see him in EBEL next season.
Well, neither Jesenice or Olimpija have goalies for the next season yet. Although it's quite unlikely Morris would be a candidate for either one of Slovenian teams at the moment...
Ouellette
20-06-2009, 20:37
A couple of questions:
Will the dual Canadian-Croatians be welcomed as "true" Croatians?
They will, because even croatian football team(football is our national sport) has most of the key players who never learned how to play football in Croatia, but have our origin. The only difference is that they are not from Canada, but from Germany, Swiss or Australia.
jokke_wiberg
21-06-2009, 11:38
Drax / Jokke -
How do Croatian fans feel about the fact that basically all of Medvescak's current roster will no longer be with the team next year, given that most of them are home grown Croatians? Are they upset about that? Or are they happy that the team will be a stronger club playing in a stronger league, despite the fact that they may take their lumps compared to the even stronger, long established EBEL clubs? Would the fans rather see the Bears be a big fish in a small pond, or a small fish in a big pond? Will the dual Canadian-Croatians be welcomed as "true" Croatians?
in general, people dont care if new signigs are martians, they wanna see quality product.
canadian croatians will be more than welcomed. as bear mentioned, croatians borned abroad usually have strong connections with a homeland (ex. joe sakic have been raised as croatian as mother tounge). many players with croatian origin rather choose to play for croatia than a country they grew up.
i see two possible problems.
i) some of regular medvescak home players will have to be sent down to a farm team. they played togather for ages, but cut should be done saying "mate, you cant play ebel. slovenian league is for you." hope that wouldnt make unrest in a locker and that players would welcome all new signings.
ii) hockey is back in media. majority of croatian media gave hockey a little space and now they overdo it. titles like "nhl player new bear" - for letang who played 14 nhl games. thats just hilarious, right?
Ouellette
21-06-2009, 13:54
i) some of regular medvescak home players will have to be sent down to a farm team. they played togather for ages, but cut should be done saying "mate, you cant play ebel. slovenian league is for you." hope that wouldnt make unrest in a locker and that players would welcome all new signings.
This is too big and too expensive project and there is no place for some emotional s**** like: "Well, you are our home-grown player and because of that you will play EBEL".
I hope that our new coach will be determined person which will not be in fear to send, vigir for example, in farm team.
Croatian national team line Belić - Novosel, ibret - vigir - Mlađenović is certainly not on EBEL level, but those guys play together for years and have a lot of experience playing defense against division 1 teams in world championships.
With proper preparations and professional life, they can certainly play against EBEL third or fourth lines in order to give scoring lines some breath space. Neither Olimpija nor Jesenice are going to have top players in their third and fourth lines. Quite the contrary, it is expected that both Slovenian teams will have players who played Slovenian league last season.
Next player to sign a contract for Jesenice is Rok TIčar (Timra IK). At the moment, team Acroni Jesenice consists of three players, Tomaž Razingar, Anže Terlikar and Rok Tičar.
Alessandro Seren Rosso
30-06-2009, 08:53
I've heard that Jesenice will sign Kazakhstani center Andrei Troschinsky. The source I have isn't among the most reliable ever so can anyone confirm/deny that?
Medvečak signed two new players. The blue line is fortified with Canadian player Robby Sandrock (http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13958) who spent last season in VSV.
Blue attack got another Croatian-Canadian reinforcement. From British Elite Ice Hockey League landed Cardiff's top scorer Mike Prpich (http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=14768).
Medvečak signed two new players. The blue line is fortified with Canadian player Robby Sandrock (http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13958) who spent last season in VSV.
Blue attack got another Croatian-Canadian reinforcement. From British Elite Ice Hockey League landed Cardiff's top scorer Mike Prpich (http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=14768).
Very good - the bears will be very strong. Let's see if the player wiil develop chemistry needed for good and consistent results.
is there any site where I can find pictures of most players because I want to make EBEL facepack.... please help me...
is there any site where I can find pictures of most players because I want to make EBEL facepack.... please help me...
For Olimpija players see
http://www.hddolimpija.com/index.php?option=com_players&view=players&Itemid=56
but be aware that there will (hopefully) be changes made to the roster for the next season.
Alessandro was right, first three foreigners have signed for Jesenice.
Yan Golubovsky (http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=6496) is 33-years old defenceman with 56 NHL games, 343 AHL games and 114 RSL games. He played for Yunost Minsk last season.
Boris Tortunov (http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=20529) is 35 years old goalie, who has played in RSL for his whole carreer, but had an average KHL season with Vityaz last season.
Andrei Troschchinski (http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=31403) is Kazakh national team player with no major foreign expiriences...
Alessandro Seren Rosso
06-07-2009, 08:39
These are good signings for Jesenice. I'm sure all three will do well.
RexKramer
06-07-2009, 23:39
It's nice to see some Eastern European/Russian imports again in the league as these guys were a very rare species in the last years. It's not by chance that Jesenice looks east, in contrast to most other EBEL teams the team has a more "Russian" style of hockey.
But the last season(s) of the three were pretty modest I have to say and given the financial hardship Jesenice is facing I'm quite sure the guys came at a good price...that's not really indicating three top notch signings.
Alessandro, to be Russian or Kazakh is no guarantee to make an impact in EBEL ;-)
Yeah, I'm just curious how did the management convince them to sign - considering there was only three players in the team at the time:)
The budged was seriously cut and we can only be glad that we even have foreign players, especially on such standard. I have expected some ECHL players at most, but anyway... if the players come to Jesenice in shape and with proper attitude, we have nothing to worry about.
Yan Golubovsky seems quite impressive to me, although I can't find where (or if?) he played for 2006/07 and 07/08 seasons?
Alessandro Seren Rosso
07-07-2009, 08:37
Alessandro, to be Russian or Kazakh is no guarantee to make an impact in EBEL ;-)
Hehe. But playing 10+ years in the RSL should be "allright", or not? :c032:
RexKramer
07-07-2009, 10:26
Hehe. But playing 10+ years in the RSL should be "allright", or not? :c032:
The 10 years are a good indication basically but still no guarantee. I don't doubt that the 2 Russian guys at least were strong players but the last seasons indicate quite some decline in their careers. Plus we know that Jesenice has cut down the budget a lot so even if prices for hockey players have decreased in general due to the economic downturn these guys were very likely bargains which also indicates their (probably far) beyond their prime.
But we'll see.
Alessandro Seren Rosso
07-07-2009, 10:37
The 10 years are a good indication basically but still no guarantee. I don't doubt that the 2 Russian guys at least were strong players but the last seasons indicate quite some decline in their careers. Plus we know that Jesenice has cut down the budget a lot so even if prices for hockey players have decreased in general due to the economic downturn these guys were very likely bargains which also indicates their (probably far) beyond their prime.
But we'll see.
Tell me players who at 35 aren't past their primes. Troschinsky is a good player too. He's not an offensive guy that's why he doesn't score many points, but he's big, got very good hands and works hard, hard, hard. Guys in Jesenice will be happy, and it's better to have some eastern europeans in the teams rather than old canadians ECHL rejects.
Yeah, I'm just curious how did the management convince them to sign - considering there was only three players in the team at the time:)
The budged was seriously cut and we can only be glad that we even have foreign players, especially on such standard. I have expected some ECHL players at most, but anyway... if the players come to Jesenice in shape and with proper attitude, we have nothing to worry about.
Yan Golubovsky seems quite impressive to me, although I can't find where (or if?) he played for 2006/07 and 07/08 seasons?
He missed seasons due injury
The 10 years are a good indication basically but still no guarantee. I don't doubt that the 2 Russian guys at least were strong players but the last seasons indicate quite some decline in their careers. Plus we know that Jesenice has cut down the budget a lot so even if prices for hockey players have decreased in general due to the economic downturn these guys were very likely bargains which also indicates their (probably far) beyond their prime.
But we'll see.
I just remember this guy (http://www.eurohockey.net/players/show_player.cgi?serial=13025). Ha arrived to Újpest 4 years after he retired from Soviet elite hockey. One he was a world class player, no doubt. But he was really nothing special in Újpest, at the times when Hungarian hockey was in its worst period, as a bottom C-pool team.
RexKramer
07-07-2009, 11:54
Tell me players who at 35 aren't past their primes. Troschinsky is a good player too. He's not an offensive guy that's why he doesn't score many points, but he's big, got very good hands and works hard, hard, hard. Guys in Jesenice will be happy, and it's better to have some eastern europeans in the teams rather than old canadians ECHL rejects.
The age is not a problem necessarily. All I want to say is that the careers of the two Russians are in decline...
In the last years the data says they have never played full seasons, for Golubovsky one season is missing at all. There might be explanations to it that are unrelated to performance (incomplete data?) but without further info I'd say these are just guys struggling with injuries and/or to crack the line ups of their teams.
With Troschchinsky it's pretty much the same. That's not good signs but I admit that it can turn out different, I just don't think its very likely given the information.
When was Red Bull Salzburg formally founded? I've read on RBS site how Red Bull became main sponsor of Salzburger Eishockeyclub in 2000 while SEC was still in second league but don't know whether present team is completely new entity or the old team only with new sponsor and name?
Alessandro Seren Rosso
07-07-2009, 13:13
The age is not a problem necessarily. All I want to say is that the careers of the two Russians are in decline...
In the last years the data says they have never played full seasons, for Golubovsky one season is missing at all. There might be explanations to it that are unrelated to performance (incomplete data?) but without further info I'd say these are just guys struggling with injuries and/or to crack the line ups of their teams.
With Troschchinsky it's pretty much the same. That's not good signs but I admit that it can turn out different, I just don't think its very likely given the information.
I can explain you. Tortunov is not a prime player in the KHL. Prime players are the likes of Jan Marek, Aleksei Morozov, etc, etc. Tortunov is a player who plays in such teams, like Vityaz or Avtomobilist, or Khimik, etc. Do you think that such teams are inferior to EBEL teams? I don't think so. Golubosky had injuries, he's imo more a question mark (not technically, but physically).
Regarding Troschinsky, well, he played in 5 WCs, spent 10 years in Russian second league, played in the Continental Cup, etc etc etc. I don't really think that such a curriculum is not good enough for the modest EBEL league. It's a very interesting league, international, like the KHL, but I don't think that it's better than the Russian second league.
But time will tell better than any words we can exchange.
And I'm damn curious to see how they will do, it's a bit that good level Russian players don't come to Slovenia if I'm not wrong.
RexKramer
07-07-2009, 13:44
Allessandro, it doesn't matter really how EBEL and Russian leagues relate to each other. What matters (for Jesenice) is how their players (including their imports) relate to the players (and thus the imports) of the other teams, right? These things have something to do with each other but they don't coincide if we look at subsets of rosters.
Whether Russian no-names like these three guys are on par with the TYPICAL EBEL import (career AHLers resp. players that spend seasons in DEL/NLA/Elitserien) is the question. And frankly, given the CV of the guys I doubt it. I know you don't doubt it;-), your optimism about Russian/Kazakh hockey is well known :c215::c215: (and it's all right I don't have a problem with it)
Jesenice is specific team - with proper attitude and approach to hockey, the quality isn't that important. We had disappointing players with great 'CVs' a season ago - Henrik Malmstrom played in Elitserien for the whole carreer and came to Jesenice straigth from SM-League - but didn't fit in. We had Jarrod Skalde, carreer AHLer, who didn't show much. On the other hand, we brought Jean Phillipe Pare, who moved from CIS leagues to Finnish second league, then to France and came to Jesenice from Swiss NLB. He still is one of the fans favourites here. Markus Matthiasson was also not prime Elitserien player, but shone in Jesenice. And don't forget about Aaron Fox, he has only played two seasons in ECHL, otherwise he made his carreer in German second league, and tore the league in his first season with Jesenice.
So, let the players show what they are worth on ice... As I said earlier, with proper attitude and approach, all three can be stars...
RexKramer
07-07-2009, 14:53
We're not talking what actually will be but what can reasonably be expected. And quality does matter it's just a multidimensional thing (that includes attitude etc...).
Of course the Russians could be great for HKJ but it also could be that they are nothing special at all. Imho things indicate that the latter is more likely...that's it.
Here is the nostalgic video of Albert Malgin Shootout (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u-1UD2qck0) from season 1992/93. Malgin only played a season here, but is still considered one of the most prominent foreigners ever played for Jesenice.
RexKramer
08-07-2009, 11:16
Bit of older news but still an interesting transfer: Red Bulls Salzburg have hired forward Steve Regier (24, CAN). Regier appeared in 8 games for the St.Louis Blues last season and scored 3 goals and an assist. The rest of the season he spent with the Peoria Rivermen where he was the teams top scorer.
That's the kind of player no other team in EBEL could sign. Guess he could rock the league.
RexKramer
08-07-2009, 11:17
Bit of older news but still an interesting transfer: Red Bulls Salzburg have hired forward Steve Regier (24, CAN). Regier appeared in 8 games for the St.Louis Blues last season and scored 3 goals and an assist. The rest of the season he spent with the Peoria Rivermen where he was the teams top scorer.
That's the kind of player no other team in EBEL could sign. Guess he could rock the league.
RexKramer
08-07-2009, 20:05
HK Jesenice has a new head coach: Russian coach Ildar Rahmatullin will take over with Jesenice veteran Dejan Varl assuming assistant coach duties.
Rahmatullin has played for Jesenice in the 90ies and later coached Olimpija Ljubljana in their debut EBEL season but had to leave after only a short time. Rahmatullin reportedly doesn't speak English and so he had no chance of leading Olimpija with its Canadian imports. This will not be a problem with the new Russian way of HKJ which makes a lot of sense given the head coach decision.
Alessandro Seren Rosso
08-07-2009, 23:28
Jesenice is definitely the team I'll cheer for in the next season! :c032:
RexKramer
08-07-2009, 23:41
Jesenice is definitely the team I'll cheer for in the next season! :c032:
Alessandro, you're always good for completely surprising us here with your unpredictability :c098:
:c008:
Marc Brunengraber
09-07-2009, 00:06
Well, I like Linz for my buddy Rex, and Jesenice as my 2nd choice insofar as EBEL teams go.
All of the goings-ons with Jesenice certainly make them an interesting team to follow for next season.
Jesenice is definitely the team I'll cheer for in the next season! :c032:
They be my team too... except for when they play Alba Volan.
RexKramer
09-07-2009, 13:01
Don't know where to put this, so I put it here:
Ron Kennedy the former coach of HC Innsbruck, VSV, Ingolstadt, Eisbären Berlin, Bozen, Hannover, the Austrian National Team etc... has succumbed to cancer today in a hospital in Klagenfurt. Kennedy was 56 years old.
His era of coaching the national team was the most succesful in modern Austrian hockey history. He lead the team out of the B pool in 1997 and kept on the elite level throughout his time behind the bench. Under his coaching Austria qualified for the Olympics twice (98 and 02) and achieved the best IHWC rank in the modern era (10 in Norway 1999).
Kennedy also won numerous championships including three Austrian titles with Villach.
I had the pleasure to chat a little with him last year in Innsbruck during the division I tournament and can confirm what is generally known about him - he was a true gentleman and a very sympathetic person.
RIP Ron Kennedy
Very sad news...really a great coach
Ouellette
14-07-2009, 11:16
http://www.hrhokej.net/ebel/clanci/474-iskusni-enio-sacilotto-novi-trener-medveaka-tj-guidarelli-pojaao-napad.html
Medvečak signed new coach and new fowrad.
What happend to Doug Bradley? Wasn't he supposed to coach Medveščak?
Meanwhile, Jesenice signed two new players, David Slivnik from VSV Villach and Aleš Remar from Milano Rossoblu. Both are Jesenice native, although Slivnik played in Villach since he was 8 years old. Remar was raised through Jesenice system and have always been on the verge of becoming a core player. Unfortunately he always 'felt through' and hadn't been given a proper chance in first team. He played in Milano last year.
Ouellette
14-07-2009, 21:12
What happend to Doug Bradley? Wasn't he supposed to coach Medvečak?
Nothing happend. Doug Bradley is Director of hockey operations. :)
Seven players were promoted from Juniors to Acroni Jesenice senior team.
It's going to be very difficult season for Jesenice, but all in all I thing they'll do OK. Olimpija - that's entirely another story. We'll see who'll be training starting next week.
Goalie Gaber Glavic signed 2 years contract with Acroni Jesenice as a backup goalie.
Ouellette
22-07-2009, 23:39
Although there is no official information, my very trustful source told me that Sao Rajsar signed with Medvečak.
His grandma is Croat and he will recive our passport.
RexKramer
23-07-2009, 16:24
In Vienna the expansion of Albert Schulz Halle ice sports complex is finally going to kick off beginning of September. Originally works were thought to start right after the last season but planning and getting all required permissions apparently took longer than expected.
The expansion of the capacity to 7.000 (from 4.300), covering of the third up to now open air ice pad and the construction of a garage under the arena will cost 40mio Euro will be financed by the city of Vienna and run by Vienna Capitals who will also take over managing the whole complex once it's finished.
Under the following link a slide show of conceptual graphics can be found (scroll down)
http://www.laola1.at/397+M52dacf21916.html
The upper deck sections in the corners are interesting I've never seen anything like that. Are those part of the new additions or are they already in place?
Interesting. The whole new arena should be done in August 2010?
Also one of the oldest arenas in EBEL league, Podmežakla hall is being renovated - but it won't be as radical as in Vienna, although it will take more time. First phase should be concluded in September 2010 - the arena will be expanded for around 1000 seats and new locker-rooms will be built under the new seating area. Now already famous roof (with all the natural grass growing on it..) will finally be replaced in 2011.
RexKramer
24-07-2009, 11:11
The upper deck sections in the corners are interesting I've never seen anything like that. Are those part of the new additions or are they already in place?
These sections are part of the expansion concept. Right now the arena has seating on both long sides of the ice pad, one side (south) there are two decks while on the other there's just one with a row of lounges and commentator boxes above it. On the short sides of the pad behind the goals there is standing room. What they basically are going to do is raise the roof and add a second deck to the North side (and new VIP boxes as well) plus these smaller sections in the corners.
But the really good thing is that they cover the third ice pad. Some years ago the third open air pad was built adjacent to the training rink but it could not be used for hockey as neighbours complained about the noise. Now this pad will be turned into a proper indoor training rink which gives the city a much needed 5th indoor ice pad to practise and play on.
Another important signing for team Acroni Jesenice - 26-years old Slovenia international Mitja Robar is back for his fourth year with Acroni. Robar is 1st line player and is in his prime years for defenceman.
According to team management, 11 more players who played for Jesenice last year, had been offered a contract. They were all invited to training camp and we can expect most of them to sign a contract in the following days.
RexKramer
30-07-2009, 23:10
Villach is trying to sign Malmö veteran centerman Mikael Wahlberg. Last year the Swede played for CSKA Moscow and later on for Ambria-Piotta. Despite that he was fired in both teams (or at least not kept) he should be a proper reinforcement for VSV which lost a number of key players. Centerman Dan Cavanaugh for instance surprisingly quit his hockey career last week. If Wahlberg should end up in Villach he would be the first ever Swedish player of the "smurfs". I guess there's not many heralded pro teams in lesser hockey countries which never ever had a Swede on the roster in several decades of existence.
Ouellette
31-07-2009, 13:14
Medvečak signed Mike Ouellette from Hartford Wolf Pack and Jeff Corey from South Carolina Stingrays. They are also negotiating with ex-Acorni defenman Conrad Martin.
Croatian national television (HRT) will broadcast six home games during regular season. Other games will be shown by croatian SportKlub.
Team will hit ice on august 4th, press conference will be two days later where new coach and new players will be introduced.
RexKramer
02-08-2009, 11:12
Black Wings Linz have completed their roster for the new season recently, except three new defensemen there is not a single change. The roster has been downsized in numbers with now 7 defensemen and 12 forwards. On the height of the last season Linz had 9 d and 14 f on the roster. To begin the preparation campain an additional game against a selection of US players who apparently tour Europe to get themselves into the managers' notebooks here has been scheduled. Unfortunatley I have no info on this team up to now. Afterwards the Wings will disembark to the Southern Tyrol to take part in Dolomitencup and afterwards they fly to London/Ontario joined by about 50 fans. When they meet the host in the tournament (lots of young NHL players plus AHL, CHL guys) I guess the Wings could get their asses spanked...
Marc Brunengraber
02-08-2009, 17:41
I wonder what the roster is for the "US Selects" and whether this selection is sanctioned by USA Hockey. Interesting. Could be anything from a formidible group to a bunch of no-names.
As for the "London Knights," as in prior years, it is NOT the Canadian Major Junior team that is competing (although I personally would find that to be much more interesting). Rather, as in prior years, and as Rex points out, it will be the "Ontario Knights" - a combination of young NHL & AHL players (some of whom, but not necesarily all of whom, played for the London Knights when they were in Major Junior) with a few current Major Juniors mixed in.
Despite the "Ontario Knights" players' individual talent levels, they do not play usually together as a group, and many of the players have never played together at any prior time. They have barely any practices together before the tournament. Accordingly, it would not be at all surprising to see them lose to an EBEL team. A year or two ago, an "Ontario Knights" selection barely went better than .500 in a bunch of games against German Bundesliga (second tier) teams.
BTW, Rex, I'm told that Grumet-Morris is looking to play in the AHL this season.
Just to correct a few misunderstandings:
As for the "London Knights," as in prior years, it is NOT the Canadian Major Junior team that is competing (although I personally would find that to be much more interesting). Rather, as in prior years, and as Rex points out, it will be the "Ontario Knights" - a combination of young NHL & AHL players (some of whom, but not necesarily all of whom, played for the London Knights when they were in Major Junior) with a few current Major Juniors mixed in.
Did i mention that you have a habit of repeating yourself? This is the 7th time (I made a count via a search) that you mention this. :c032:
But just for the record. When the team toured Germany and Austria last August, it played under different headings (at least according to the German media): London Knights, Ontario Knights, London Ontario Knights, and Canada Selects.
Despite the "Ontario Knights" players' individual talent levels, they do not play usually together as a group, and many of the players have never played together at any prior time. They have barely any practices together before the tournament. Accordingly, it would not be at all surprising to see them lose to an EBEL team. A year or two ago, an "Ontario Knights" selection barely went better than .500 in a bunch of games against German Bundesliga (second tier) teams.
BTW, Rex, I'm told that Grumet-Morris is looking to play in the AHL this season.
* The German Bundesliga has two tiers: 1. Bundesliga = DEL, and 2. Bundesliga (which is inbetween DEL and Oberliga). For the future, please refer to 2. Bundesliga as "Bundesliga" may confuse some of our European readers.
* While the NHL teams are relatively stable (due to the contractual system of the NHL), the same cannot be said about European club teams. During the offseason, the rosters of many teams are undergo major (at times, nearly complete) overhauls. Look at the new rosters in this thread, in the DEL 2009/10 thread (just updated) and other leagues. As most European teams go on ice in August, the same can basically be said: they have often played very little together when they play their preseason games. This is indeed one of the reasons why the European preseason is fairly long and the teams play so many preseason games (the length of the preseason however vary from country to country. Its longer (measured from the time the players go on ice to the first season game) in the very top countries: RUS, SWE, FIN, CZE/SVK - about 7 weeks) than the middle-rank countries (GER, AUT, DEN, NOR - 4-5 weeks) and becomes shorter as we move down the ranks (1-2 weeks) -- partly a matter of tradition, partly of budgets.
* Last year, I made a relatively comprehensive coverage of the Canadian team's German tour. You can read the main entry here: http://forums.internationalhockey.net/showpost.php?p=126106&postcount=221
It follows from this coverage that one should not read too much into the results. Typical preseason games with very little body contact.
Anyway, the EuroCan tournament is a nice setup. Looking forward to it.
Sabahudin Kovačevič and Žiga Jeglič are back to play for Jesenice in this season. 23-years old Kovačevič was impressive in his first season, while having another solid season last year. He quickly became fans favourite for his approach to the game.
21-years old Žiga Jeglič is a prospect who should nicely fit in the roster.
Meanwhile, Ivo Jan broke the contract with Graz 99ers due to his clash with coach Bill Gilligan and is returning back home. 34-years old Slovenia International had some problems (poor form) last year and couldn't break back into the roster after his injury.
He already confirmed he would join one of the two Slovenian teams in EBEL league. It's hard to tell which rival he will reinforce (he would certanly be a major catch for both teams), because he is known to move between teams a lot - apperantly his loyalty is quite low, so he will move to the team that offers him more money.
RexKramer
03-08-2009, 11:32
I wonder what the roster is for the "US Selects" and whether this selection is sanctioned by USA Hockey. Interesting. Could be anything from a formidible group to a bunch of no-names.
As for the "London Knights," as in prior years, it is NOT the Canadian Major Junior team that is competing (although I personally would find that to be much more interesting). Rather, as in prior years, and as Rex points out, it will be the "Ontario Knights" - a combination of young NHL & AHL players (some of whom, but not necesarily all of whom, played for the London Knights when they were in Major Junior) with a few current Major Juniors mixed in.
Despite the "Ontario Knights" players' individual talent levels, they do not play usually together as a group, and many of the players have never played together at any prior time. They have barely any practices together before the tournament. Accordingly, it would not be at all surprising to see them lose to an EBEL team. A year or two ago, an "Ontario Knights" selection barely went better than .500 in a bunch of games against German Bundesliga (second tier) teams.
BTW, Rex, I'm told that Grumet-Morris is looking to play in the AHL this season.
I searched some time but apart the piece of news on the Black Wings site I couldn't find more on this US select team, so it's gonna be a surprise package I guess.
EuroCan Cup:
it really seems to be a great tournament, the organizers apparently put a lot of effort into it with an own website and everything. The Knights (Ontario, London - whatever ;-) have a hell of a lot of talent on their team and I guess the arena has an NHL sized rink which none of the 3 other teams players are used to (many of the domestic players of the three teams have probably never ever played on the small rink) so especially Linz and Munich will have a hard time against the Knights. Zug is nominally a stronger squad I guess the final should be Knights against Zug...
D G-M: goalie spots are all given away in EBEL, Olimpija have just signed Norm Maracle from Iserlohn Roosters (DEL) which was the last open starter spot...
RexKramer
03-08-2009, 12:39
Non-intra league games:
12.08.2009 EHL - ERC Ingolstadt 19:00 Linz 5:3
14.08.2009 Ujpest Budapest - AVS tbd Budapest 2:9
14.08.2009 SK Trebic - VIC 18:00 Trebic 3:5
15.08.2009 Kölner Haie - EHL 20:45 Meran 4:2
15.08.2009 HC Budejovice (CZE) - RBS tbd Budejovice 3:2
16.08.2009 EHL - Nationalteam Italien tbd Bruneck 3:0
16.08.2009 Adler Mannheim - KAC tbd Mannheim 5:1
16.08.2009 Kometa Brno - VIC 18:00 Brünn 5:2
18.08.2009 G99 - Kölner Haie tbd Graz 6:3
19.08.2009 Spisska Nova Ves - AVS 14:00 Sosnowiec 2:3 SO
19.08.2009 RBS - Kölner Haie 19:15 Salzburg 5:1
20.08.2009 KAC - Nürnberger Ice Tigers Klagenfurt 3:3
20.08.2009 KH Zaglebie Sosnowiec - AVS 20:00 Sosnowiec 3:7
20.08.2009 G99 - SCL Tigers tbd St. Pölten 3:1
21.08.2009 Ferencvaros - AVS 14:00 Sosnowiec 0:4
21.08.2009 KAC - Langnau (CH) tbd Klagenfurt 3:3
21.08.2009 VIC - Kometa Brno 18:00 Wien cancelled
21.08.2009 HC Slavia Prag - RBS tbd Prag 5:1
21.08.2009 Lausanne - OLJ 20:15 Yverdom 2:2
22.08.2009 AVS - Zilina tbd Sosnowiec 2:1
22.08.2009 G99 - SCL Tigers tbd Graz 5:2
22.08.2009 Fribourg - OLJ 16:30 Fribourg 5:2
23.08.2009 HC Jihlava - VIC 17:30 Jihlava 1:2
25.08.2009 G99 - Augsburg Panthers tbd Graz 1:2
26.08.2009 London Knights - EHL 01:30 Kanada 7:2
26.08.2009 VIC - Hodonin Vienna 3:1
27.08.2009 KAC - Briancon, Sommercup Bled 5:4 SO
27.08.2009 RBS - ZSC Lions, Red Bulls Salute 2009 20:30 5:0
28.08.2009 EHL - EHC München 01:30 3:2
28.08.2009 Augsburg Panther - G99 8:1
28.08.2009 KAC - Langenthal (CH), Sommercup 2:1 SO
28.08.2009 RI Okna Zlin - VIC 17:00 2:3
29.08.2009 EHL - EV Zug 20:00 7:5
29.08.2009 RBS - ZSKA Moskau, Red Bulls Salute 4:2
30.08.2009 VSV - Langenthal Summer League Bled 5:3
30.08.2009 HKJ - Briancon Summer League 2:1 SO
30.08.2009 RBS - Sparta Prague Red Bulls Salute 3:2
31.08.2009 EHL - EV Zug EuroCan Cup 2:5
01.09.2009 HKM Zvolen - AVS 17:00 4:0
02.09.2009 KAC - Ritten 3:3
03.09.2009 HC Davos - RBS 1:3
03.09.2009 Pontebba - MZA 2:3
04.09.2009 BWL-HC Bozen 2:6
05.09.2009 VSV - Bremerhaven 3:4 SO
05.09.2009 HC Lugano - RBS 8:5
06.09.2009 Ritten - VSV 2:4
06.09.2009 Ambri-Piotta - RBS 4:3 SO
06.09.2009 Pontebba - HKA 3:3
Intra league games:
14.08.2009 MZA - G99 tbd Zagreb 5:3
16.08.2009 MZA - OLJ tbd Ljubljana 2:2
16.08.2009 VSV-HKA Jesenice 4:4
18.08.2009 HKA - OLJ 19:00 Jesenice 2:2
19.08.2009 OLJ -HKA 19:15 Ljubljana 2:1
21.08.2009 HKA - MZA 19:00 Jesenice 0:0
23.08.2009 VSV - MZA 18:00 Villach 2:2
27.08.2009 HKA - VSV, Sommercup Bled 19:35 2:3 SO
28.08.2009 VSV - OLJ, Sommercup Bled 16:00 1:3
28.08.2009 AVS - MZA 19:00 Szekesfehervar 5:4
29.08.2009 OLJ - HKA, Sommercup 7:1
30.08.2009 KAC - OLL Sommercup 3:1
01.09.2009 G99 - MZA 3:2
04.09.2009 KAC - HKA 8:4
05.09.2009 AVS - OLJ, Gabor Ocskay Gedenkturnier 5:1
05.09.2009 G99 - VIC, Gedenkturnier Szekesfehervar 4:6
06.09.2009 OLL - G99 Gabor Ocskay Gedenkturnier 6:7
06.09.2009 AVS - VIC Gabor Ocskay Gedenkturnier 4:3
EHL: BW Linz
HKA: Jesenice
MZA: Medvescak Zagreb
VIC: Vienna Capitals
Ouellette
03-08-2009, 12:47
There is possibility that Medvescak will play all their pre-season games at road, as Dom portova will get ice on 1.9.
Training rink, known as "Klizalite Velesajam" is not adequate to host EBEL team, even in friendly game.
http://www.internationalhockey.net/flags/miniflag/sweden.gif Oscar Ackeström (http://eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=560) (D) from Hannover Scorpions (DEL)
http://www.internationalhockey.net/flags/miniflag/finland.gif Juha Alen (http://eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=3210) (D) from Mora IK (Allsvenskan)
Ouellette
03-08-2009, 15:26
According to Tilija website Ivo Jan signed one - year deal with Olimpija.
Marc Brunengraber
03-08-2009, 16:24
Karsten:
I repeat myself because I'm assuming most people are not reading pre-season threads from last year. :c032:
Karsten:
I repeat myself because I'm assuming most people are not reading pre-season threads from last year. :c032:
As long as you dont repeat your messages another five times in the next weeks, thats fine with me. Otherwise, we will have to implement a spam filter, specially designed for your account:c032:
I
D G-M: goalie spots are all given away in EBEL, Olimpija have just signed Norm Maracle from Iserlohn Roosters (DEL) which was the last open starter spot...
and
According to Tilija website Ivo Jan signed one - year deal with Olimpija.
and here:
Slednji je odlično izpeljal posel z Janom in Maraclom, saj bo vrednost polovice pogodbe 34-letnega napadalca plačal Gradec, 70-odstotkom vrednosti pogodbe s kanadskim vratarjem, pa prav tako njegov bivi klub iz Nemčije.
Is my translation correct that Graz will pay 50% of Jan's salary and Iserlohn will pay 70% of the salary of Maracle?
Rotscha, you are right... As I expected Jan decided to go for money and signed with Olimpija. Unfortunately, since Jesenice would need another veteran to guide their youth and Ivo would be perfect.
Marc Brunengraber
04-08-2009, 18:58
:c032:
on august 30 at h. 19.00 Medvesczak Zagreb will play a friendly match vs Italian Serie A Val Pusteria Wolves, as informed Val Pusteria website
Ouellette
05-08-2009, 14:20
Medvečak roster updated. As were expected, Sao Rajsar and Conrad Martin signed with Medvečak.
Rajsar¨s grandmother is from Croatia and he has cro passport.
RexKramer
06-08-2009, 15:54
Black Wings Linz game against the mysterious US selects team has been cancelled by the North Americans. In an effort not to lose the game day Linz' management has agreed with DEL side Ingolstadt to replace the Us team.
Marc Brunengraber
06-08-2009, 17:37
That stinks. :(
The EC Red Bull Salzburg II game against an "American college team" was cancelled as well. I assume this was the US Selects?
KHL Medvešcak Zagreb made 2 more additions to the roster:
Jonathan Romic (F) - University of Windsor (CIS)
Chris Powers (D) - Trinity College (NCAA Div. 3)
Ouellette
06-08-2009, 21:54
KHL Medvecak Zagreb made 2 more additions to the roster:
Jonathan Romic (F) - University of Windsor (CIS)
Chris Powers (D) - Trinity College (NCAA Div. 3)
Both players are on try-out. Powers came on Bradley insist. Bradley watched him back in USA and he said that he is good DF. Romic is croatian canadian who played at University of Windsor. Although he played on college that sucks, he came in Zagreb on try-out at his own expense. If he doesnt make, what is most likley, EBEL roster, he will play for Medvescak farm team.
I was at Medvescak practice today and spoke with Romic. He said to me that he had some pro offers, but his father didnt allow him to play pro hockey until he finish his college.
RexKramer
07-08-2009, 17:03
Canadian goaltender David LeNeveu will try-out for a spot with Red Bulls Salzburg was announced today. LeNeveu (26) played for the Iowa Chops last season and has made 16 NHL games (all for Phoenix) in his career so far.
jokke_wiberg
07-08-2009, 20:47
bear, have you been to the practice?
team looks great on ice, my head and neck hurts, speed of the game is awesome.
comparing to last season, like racing car and a tractor.
alan letang :c062::c008:
finally, we have some good blueliners :c032:
no more bloopers
p.s. jonathan romich looked decent too. he can be a top player in slovenian league + jump in for a ebel team.
EC Red Bull Salzburg has goalie David LeNeveu in camp for a try-out. He played last season with the Iowa Chops and has 15 games on NHL experience.
Ouellette
08-08-2009, 17:53
bear, have you been to the practice?
team looks great on ice, my head and neck hurts, speed of the game is awesome.
comparing to last season, like racing car and a tractor.
alan letang :c062::c008:
finally, we have some good blueliners :c032:
no more bloopers
p.s. jonathan romich looked decent too. he can be a top player in slovenian league + jump in for a ebel team.
Yes, white - blue game were good, but still that is only traning game. We will see our strenght next friday when we will host Graz99, although I dont expect too much from first preparation match.
Yesterday I watched Romic for first time on ice. He looked good, but I doubt he will make EBEL roster, but as You said he can be very good in farm team.
Newcomer from Trinity College Chris Powers looked solid on ice (comparing him with other foregin df-s) and he can be useful to our defence.
Some news from KAC:
KAC´s Egbert Frimmel surprisingly laid down his function as president of the club on wednesday. He declared that his straight style of leadership was not supported/ran against stubborn resistance within the club.
His successor has already been presented and he is no stranger in the EBEL. Actual EBEL president Karl Nedved, who is a long-served supporter of the club took over the office of Frimmel and coevally declared, that he won´t candidate for tenure of EBEL presidency.
RexKramer
14-08-2009, 21:09
Zagreb Bears are on the best way to show off their EBEL fitness as the lead Graz 99ers 5:2 in their first ever entcounter with an EBEL squad. Graz has been very active on the transfer market signing a number of higher profile players and are widely considered to be a serious semi final contender in the upcoming season.
In the meantime Vienna Capitals have also won their preseason opener beating Slavia Trebic (CZE1) 5:3 on the road.
Ouellette
14-08-2009, 23:55
Medvescak won 5:3. Very good game at Velesajam Ice rink, considering that this was first game for both teams.
Game was pretty equal in terms of shots on goal and scoring chances. Medvečak played with four lines, just as Graz. Domestic player, such as Mladenovic, Svigir, Gojanovic, Lovrencic, played very well, with lot of energy, they are obivously highly motivated and, what is most important, physicaly well prepared.
Diffirence in todays game were goaltending. Weinhandl was terrible. Sandrock scored almost from his own blue line. After that goal, he shoot from same position again, but this time Weinhandl saved.
Around 300 people attended game(game were played at auxilliary ice rink), two TV stations (national TV and RTL) made reports from game. :)
RexKramer
15-08-2009, 00:11
Medvescak won 5:3. Very good game at Velesajam Ice rink, considering that this was first game for both teams.
Game was pretty equal in terms of shots on goal and scoring chances. Medvečak played with four lines, just as Graz. Domestic player, such as Mladenovic, Svigir, Gojanovic, Lovrencic, played very well, with lot of energy, they are obivously highly motivated and, what is most important, physicaly well prepared.
Diffirence in todays game were goaltending. Weinhandl was terrible. Sandrock scored almost from his own blue line. After that goal, he shoot from same position again, but this time Weinhandl saved.
Around 300 people attended game(game were played at auxilliary ice rink), two TV stations (national TV and RTL) made reports from game. :)
300 ppl in the training rink, could be an explanation for the difficult ice conditions mentioned in the 99ers report.
Will there be any chance to see any if not both of the stations' reports on the net?
Btw, the live ticker on hrhockey is absolutely top, lots of data presented...
Ouellette
15-08-2009, 00:21
300 ppl in the training rink, could be an explanation for the difficult ice conditions mentioned in the 99ers report.
Will there be any chance to see any if not both of the stations' reports on the net?
Btw, the live ticker on hrhockey is absolutely top, lots of data presented...
probably it could. Because, game was officialy closed for public, only journalists and some very close friends of Medvescak could enter the rink.
Reports will be possible to see on net. I will post links when reports will be online, dont worry ;)
Yes, live ticker is pretty good thing. Last year that tickey was online as well, but now it is better, some updates were added.
Diffirence in todays game were goaltending. Weinhandl was terrible. Sandrock scored almost from his own blue line. After that goal, he shoot from same position again, but this time Weinhandl saved.
I'd be interested in seeing the replay of that goal, but historically those shots can be among the more difficult to save.
The main reason for this is that on such a long shot, often the puck will have the opportunity to lob up, then bounce off the ice before reaching the goalie. With the irregular shape of a puck, a bouncing puck (as we know) can sometimes be very unpredictable. And if a shot has enough velocity, an unpredictable bounce close enough to the net can easily fool a goaltender.
It's still an ugly goal, and one which a goalie hopes never to let in, but if this was how the goal went in, in a preseason game, then I think it can and should be forgiven.
Ouellette
15-08-2009, 11:22
http://www.hrhokej.net/ebel/clanci/483-medveak-pripremni-period-zapoeo-pobjedom.html
here you can see goal of Robby Sandrock :)
Reports from tv stations will be online later today I guess.
RexKramer
15-08-2009, 12:11
http://www.hrhokej.net/ebel/clanci/483-medveak-pripremni-period-zapoeo-pobjedom.html
here you can see goal of Robby Sandrock :)
Reports from tv stations will be online later today I guess.
Thx for posting. I'd say Steigs bouncing off the ice theory can be ruled out. Judging by the way he loaded for the shot it was a top corner rocket...guess Sandrock saw that Weinhandl was not alert and perfectly used the situation.
Holy crap.
Well, scratch my previous comments... that was just awful. Weinhandl looked bloody well hypnotized by that.
RexKramer
16-08-2009, 01:29
Second day of EBEL teams' preseason campain, this time the opponents prevailed (previously Linz had beaten Ingolstadt, Vienna had beaten Trebic and Alba Volan 19 had downed Uipest). Linz loses the semi-final game of Dolomitencup in the Southern Tyrol against Cologne 4:2 while Salzburg falls 3:2 to Ceske Budejovice.
Linz was down in an open contest by 2 goals after the first period but equalized in the middle stanza. The last period saw Cologne take the lead again with two goals shortly after each other. Linz couldn't respond anymore but still was a hard to beat opposition for the DEL side which is much further ahead in the preaparation as this game was already the 8th preseason contest of the Sharks while it was just the second for Linz.
Red Bull Salzburg met HC Mountfield in Budweis, lead the game 2:1 until the second last minute but couldn't hold on to the lead and allowed the game tieing goal and the game winner for the Czechs withn just 90 seconds. Nevertheless a good result for the Bulls in their first game.
Tomorrow 3 games of EBEL teams against international competition are on the program, the DEL-EBEL matchup is continued with Klagenfurt meeting Mannheim while the EBEL-Extraliga contest will have Vienna versus Brno as second act.
On the home front the close neighbours of Jesenice and Villach will open their match seasons in Villach.
Jesenice - Villach game will be played in Jesenice, not in Villach. The game is a testimonial match dedicated to Dejan Varl (http://eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=16725), who retired before this season after a 19 years long carreer. He spent 18 of those years in his home team Jesenice and only moved to Phoenix Mustangs for one season in between. He was a long term captian and one of the fans favourites all the time. He is now assistant coach in - you probably guessed it right - team Acroni Jesenice.
Meanwhile, Jesenice also signed an interesting defenceman, 29-years old Alexander Dück (http://eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=22365), who will be the first German ever to play for Slovenian team. He was born in Kazakhstan (therefor meets the criteria of speaking Russian :)), but has played his whole carreer in DEL for WildWings, Pinguines and Roosters.
@kozorog:
Always good to see some players sticking to their local team, some years ago it would be unthinkable a player moving from KAC to VSV but nowadays... well...
Nice goal by Sandrock btw... indeed didn´t look like a bouncer :c032:
I am looking forward for KAC meeting Mannheim, with the 2 missing players (Paul Schellander and Gregor Hager) coach Manny Viveiros will have to shuffle the lines a bit, but since being on the ice only for one week and the first preliminary game, the lines need some testing anyway (tho they should be pretty well rehearsed since the team did not change much to last year).
After all, eagles are eagles and should not be much more than everyday business hehe ;P
RexKramer
16-08-2009, 11:57
Jep, Jesenice-Villach will be played in Jesenice...got that wrong. Why is Varl btw retiring, he isn't that old and still played well, didn't he? Just a strong desire to take up coaching?
Villach will be joined by its top export Michael Grabner who prepares for his next shot at cracking the Vancouver Canucks roster in his hometown.
also today are playing Medvescak-Olimpija in Ljubljana ;)
Ouellette
16-08-2009, 13:49
Will there be any chance to see any if not both of the stations' reports on the net?
.
http://www.rtl.hr/index.php?cmd=show_video&video_id=3834
Here it is, report from game starts at 29:10. :c032:
Unfortunaetly national TV didnt put their report online, like they did it with news from press conference. Presumably they are pre-occupied with training camp of our basketball team and with games from our "very strong and quality" football league.:c105:
Ouellette
16-08-2009, 21:07
KHL Medvečak - Tilija Olimpija (played in Ljubljana)
2:2 (0:0,2:1,0:1)
0:1 MED Guidarelli (Powers) 21:44
0:2 MED Hečimović (Guidarelli, Powers) 24:57
1:2 OLI Mitchell 37:48
2:2 OLI Mitchell (Jan, Banham) 56:47 PP1
I saw the first period of Jesenice - VSV game (which I presume ended in 4-4 tie, but now the Jesenice page is offline). The game was typical opener, without any special hockey (and foggy hall :)) Crowd of 3500 came to honour Dejan Varl, who retired at 10:10 in the first period. He got a standing ovations. He said that he wanted to play for another season, but then the offer from Jesenice board came and he didn't hesitate to retire. He was emotionally drained as well, (in my opinion) mainly because he had been a captian for long long years when there were a lot of problems in Jesenice. Also, apart from his determination, commitement and expirience, I believe his age had affected his play. If he hasn't been Jesenice player for 18 years, I don't believe he would make a roster at least for the last season, if not even earlier. But nontheless, he was and is a great player and person, who will give a lot to Jeseince in his coaching years...
It was seen that young Jesenice team has troubles keeping up with strong VSV players. First line with Razingar-Troscinski did show a great share of potential, while other lines will have to work hard through preseason period. Russians have shown some of their skills, with Troscinski scoring first two goals of the game. They weren't that special at all, but he did what he had to do - put the puck into the net. It certanly looked like a routine and I hope it will be a practice during the season as well.
In the second period Rok Tičar scored twice and Petrik once for VSV, to give Jesenice a confortable 4-1 lead. VSV came back and scored three times (tying goal came in 59th minute).
RexKramer
16-08-2009, 23:59
Yep, game ended 4-4. VSV supporters are worried about Villach's defense which lacked Elick and Kromp (the forward cn also play defense and is often used as d when personnel is low, most likely he will play d regular this season).
In Mannheim KAC got soundly beaten 5:1, Capitals only fared little better against Brno losing 5:2. Consolation for the EBEL squads is that DEL as well as Extraliga team have about 2 weeks and a handful of prep games more in their legs already.
New namesponsor: Sapa (Aluminium industry) - new name: SAPA Fehérvár AV 19
Further new sponsors: Vass-Nyakas Kft. (Construction), RIA (sportswear)
Television broadcasts: at least 15 home matches will be broadcasted on RTL SportKlub television, not included the play-off matches (if there will be any). It is also planned, that RTL SportKlub TV will broadcast the Alba Volán matches from Zagreb, in cooperation with the Croatian RTL. In return, Alba Volán - Medvescak matches in Székesfehérvár may also be broadcasted in Croatia.
Ouellette
18-08-2009, 09:22
Preview of Red Bull Salzburg at hrhockey
http://www.hrhokej.net/ebel/clanci/487-crveni-bikovi-iz-mozartovog-grada.html
What does Palkovics wait with the signing of the new contract?
jokke_wiberg
18-08-2009, 12:24
What does Palkovics wait with the signing of the new contract?
i think thay didnt update his status.
he played for AV against UTE few days ago, so he must be staying in Szekesfehervar
RexKramer
18-08-2009, 12:56
Preview of Red Bull Salzburg at hrhockey
http://www.hrhokej.net/ebel/clanci/487-crveni-bikovi-iz-mozartovog-grada.html
Not that I understand an awful lot of it, but if it isn't written like that one should note that players Beckett and Schutte have been signed primarily for the farmteam...otherwise there'd be a points problem, I guess.
Ouellette
18-08-2009, 13:06
Not that I understand an awful lot of it, but if it isn't written like that one should note that players Beckett and Schutte have been signed primarily for the farmteam...otherwise there'd be a points problem, I guess.
Problem is that translation on german language is not 100% accurate :S
RexKramer
18-08-2009, 13:59
Problem is that translation on german language is not 100% accurate :S
It sure isn't anywhere near 100% correct, it's after all more a guess rather than a translation...I was just concerned ;-)
Not that I understand an awful lot of it, but if it isn't written like that one should note that players Beckett and Schutte have been signed primarily for the farmteam...otherwise there'd be a points problem, I guess.
I suspected that this might be an explanation why are they missing from the roster on the club's site, but I wasn't sure. After all, why would one buy two old players for the farm team while playing with youngsters like Lanz, Lembacher or Reisinger in EBEL? Is Red Bull offense so good that it can compensate for relative lack of experience on the blue line?
RexKramer
18-08-2009, 14:37
I suspected that this might be an explanation why are they missing from the roster on the club's site, but I wasn't sure. After all, why would one buy two old players for the farm team while playing with youngsters like Lanz, Lembacher or Reisinger in EBEL? Is Red Bull offense so good that it can compensate for relative lack of experience on the blue line?
Well, Mr. Pagé has a plan, that's the only explanation one can give...without understanding what the plan is about and how it shall work :c075:
As much as Salzburg's project is ambitious and well funded as confusing is their (or Pagé's) ways of assigning player to the different teams and to different positions within a team. U20 players can find themselves on the farmteam for some time quickly, farm teamers on the EBEL squad, non barred EBEL players might pop in the farmtem and non farm team eligible EBEL players might find themselves not playing at all or playing defense although they are trained forwards (and the other way round).... whether there's some consistent thought behind these moves is unclear to the casual observer.
But Pierre Pagé has a plan, he said once....:c098:
We're not supposed to question it I guess. In the end you will have some wild player shuffling and Salzburg probably doing not as good as they could have, at least in the regular season.
RexKramer
18-08-2009, 22:11
Graz ties the DEL-EBEL preseason standing at 2 by beating Kölner Haie in Graz 6:3. Parallel the Slovenian EBEL sides of Jesenice and Ljubljana skated to a 2:2 tie.
Ouellette
18-08-2009, 23:06
Graz ties the DEL-EBEL preseason standing at 2 by beating Kölner Haie in Graz 6:3. Parallel the Slovenian EBEL sides of Jesenice and Ljubljana skated to a 2:2 tie.
:c098::c098: holy s***:c098:
Hmm...and Bears beat that same Graz...I know that those are just pre-season games, but still...
RexKramer
18-08-2009, 23:25
Yep, sign are that its gonna be interesting. EBEL-DEL is 2:2 now which is a great record for the EBEL teams as the DEL sides have about 1-2 weeks more on ice training and a couple of preseason games more on their log book.
Graz' game was attended by 2.000 and it was reported thet the 99ers presented them very well, I guess they won't have muc to do with the underdogs they typically were in the last years. On eishockeyforum.com users have initiated a guessing game about the final standings of the regular season which have been complied by adding up the ranks of each guess for all the teams. This is the status quo:
1. KAC/410
2. VIC/386
3. RBS/358
4. G99/267
5. EHL/261
6. VSV/226
7. MZA/220
8. HKA/107
9. AVS/99
10. OLJ/86
Klagenfurt leading a pack three ahead of a tight 4 team midfield. Then a gap and close together the three remianing teams. Of course, people have vey likely guessed as fans and not as objective observers so the non-Austrian teams are likely underrated. Bears' victory against Graz has btw pushed them a lot in the standings. Personally I think that Villach is overrated and Alba in particular underrated just as Olimpija.
jokke_wiberg
18-08-2009, 23:28
ive been talking to bears captain alan letang. he said that EBEL teams can fight with DEL teams every given night. that level of play is quite simmilar.
p.s. i wont mind bears being 7th after regular season
RexKramer
18-08-2009, 23:48
ive been talking to bears captain alan letang. he said that EBEL teams can fight with DEL teams every given night. that level of play is quite simmilar.
p.s. i wont mind bears being 7th after regular season
The common sense is I guess that teams of similar standing in EBEl and DEL are typically pretty much on par in the first two lines but that the DEL sides have more depth and consequently better third and fourth lines. This makes a lot of sense to me.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to the season and its time to start preparing the team overviews which makes me miss Toni a lot :c215: He's not been all too active lately...
RexKramer
19-08-2009, 23:49
In Poland AV 19 gets past SVK Extraliga newcomers Spisska Nova Ves in a 3:2 shoot out win, while Red Bulls Salzburg down the Sharks from Cologne 5:1 in their home debut. Only 500 ppl wanted to see the German team with the big name but at the same time the Red Bull soccer team played the home game of the last Champions league qualification round (and lost 2:1 to Tel Aviv). Köln was apparently very tired which doesn't come at a surprise given their preseason program - I wonder why exactly they chose to play this huge number of games. It can't be about optimal preparation for the DEL season, half the games plus good training would certainly do a better job than travelling around like the Harlem Globetrotters. Maybe they need the money they probably get as presentable opponents...strange.
Ouellette
20-08-2009, 11:51
Preview of Sapa Fehervar 19 at hrhockey :c032:
http://www.hrhokej.net/ebel/clanci/488-stari-znanci-iz-maarske.html
RexKramer
20-08-2009, 13:00
Today's preseason openenig game of KAC will be streamed live to the internet on the club's webchannel. KAC will host DEL team whatever they are called this year Icetigers from Nurenberg.
RexKramer
20-08-2009, 22:30
For technical problems the webstream of KAC vs. Icetigers had to be cancelled. The game ended 3:3 after a 3:1 lead for the Germans. No further info so far.
In the Lower Austrian capital city of St. Pölten where the SCL Tigers (NLA) had a one week training camp Graz99ers took the second prestigious win in a row and beat the Swiss 3:1. Except one goal by Graz' Canadian forward Greg Day were scored by Austrians as Langnau's Oliver Setzinger netted the lone goal for the perennial NLA bottom dweller.
Already yesterday the second of the back to back games bewteen Ljubljana and Jesenice took place and Olimpija took it with a score of 2:1.
Alba Volan 19 was again in action today in the tournament in Sosnowiec/POL and as far as I have seen on the Hungarians website Alba won 7:3.
For technical problems the webstream of KAC vs. Icetigers had to be cancelled. The game ended 3:3 after a 3:1 lead for the Germans. No further info so far.
In the Lower Austrian capital city of St. Pölten where the SCL Tigers (NLA) had a one week training camp Graz99ers took the second prestigious win in a row and beat the Swiss 3:1. Except one goal by Graz' Canadian forward Greg Day were scored by Austrians as Langnau's Oliver Setzinger netted the lone goal for the perennial NLA bottom dweller.
Already yesterday the second of the back to back games bewteen Ljubljana and Jesenice took place and Olimpija took it with a score of 2:1.
Alba Volan 19 was again in action today in the tournament in Sosnowiec/POL and as far as I have seen on the Hungarians website Alba won 7:3.
Yes, true.
Zagłębie Sosnowiec – Alba Volán 19 3:7 (0:1, 1:3, 2:3)
Sosnowiec, 500 spectators
Zagłębie: Dzwonek 33 - Galwas 24 Banaszczak 23, Jakubik 22, Piecha 9, Jaros 69 - Marcińczak 49, Gabryś 14, Luka 11, Sarnik 29, Opatowski 27 - Duszak 6, Dronia 89, Różański 6, Koszarek 91, Podlipni 39 - Kuc 7, Pawlak 26, Podsiadło 20, T.Kozłowski 18, G. Da Costa 84
Alba Volán: Satosaari 31, Hetényi Z. 1, - Tokaji 32, Horváth 4, Mihály35, Fekete 91, Kovács 21- Ackeström 6, Jobb 81, Peterdi 24, Vaszjunyin 78, Ladányi 11 – Alen 44, Flinta 9, Kóger 20, Nagy 10, Benk 12 – Maklári 36, Hetényi P. 73, Hegyi 8, Hajós 7, Fodor 18.
goals:
0:1 Kóger - Flinta (05:04),
0:2 Ladányi - Vaszjunyin (29:41),
1:2 Podlipni - Duszak (33:24),
1:3 Benk - Kóger (34:31),
1:4 Nagy - Benk (38:34),
1:5 Mihály - Kovács (40:21),
2:5 Podlipni (46:19),
2:6 Benk - Flinta (50:54),
2:7 Hegyi - Hajós (52:40),
3:7 Luka (56:10 - PS)
More info here (http://www.sosnowiec.info.pl/sport/hokej-na-lodzie/zaglebia---alba-volan---relacja-live,1,4,15186)
RexKramer
21-08-2009, 09:57
The "Russian" wave continues in Jesenice. HKJ has sigend two more players, on the one hand the Estonian national team player centerman Andrei Makrov (previously Gomel BLR) and on the other hand the Russian veteran forward Aleksander Selivanov. Selivanov had an impressive club career with more than 400 NHL games more than 200 points), more than 300 games in DEL (mostly for Krefeld) with almost one point per game.
So far all Jesenice imports (Russian, Estonian, Kazakh and Kazakh German) have a Russian background which makes perfect sense as HKJ's new coach Ildar Rahmatullin (naturalized Russian) doesn't speak English at all. Jesenice traditionally has an affinity to Russian style hockey and with their roster this will even more be visible. As Austrian hockey is typically marked by North American influences Jesenice will be very interesting to watch.
Ouellette
21-08-2009, 10:07
Rex, do you have source for Selivanov ? At eliteprospects his move to Jesenice is still rumor :/
RexKramer
21-08-2009, 10:14
Rex, do you have source for Selivanov ? At eliteprospects his move to Jesenice is still rumor :/
I admit that I only wrote this according to postings from Jesenice fans in eishockeyforum.com
But normally the guys are very well informed and what they write is usually correct, let's see how this turns out. Selivanov even despite his age could be a player to watch in the league I suppose.
One more info: Vienna Capitals game tonight against Kometa Brno has been cancelled. Official reason is a flue bug having hit Brno squad. The real reason is probably the troubles the two teams had with each other in their first game last week (there were a couple of fights).
Ouellette
21-08-2009, 21:14
Friendly game in Jesenice
Acroni Jesenice - Medveščak 0:0 :c089:
I don't think I have seen a goalless preseason friendly game in my entire hockey 'watching' carreer :)
Anyway, it's true, Makrov has already been announced as Jesenice player, while Selivanov is believed to be negotiating... I think Selivanov would be a big signing for Jesenice, sure he is a bit old but the age is usually not the factor when you have a long time NHLer and top european players at the door. He would certanly present a motivation figure for all other foreigners, as well as a tutor for all the youngsters in the team.
Marc Brunengraber
22-08-2009, 15:34
Jesenice gets more and more interesting......
Too bad no pre-season games against a KHL, Russian Vyshaya, or Belarus Extraliga team...that would have been fun.
Ouellette
22-08-2009, 16:12
Medveščak board released sui-cro Toni Bezina. He didnt impress at traning camp and coach Enio Sacilotto said that he doesnt count with him anymore.
His place will take 19-year old Nikša Trstenjak who came from Mladost this season. Trstenjak last year played in DPS and was one of Mladost most consistent defenders.
Tomorrow in Villach Kristan will be starter and Belić Vanja will probably see some minutes between the pipes as well.
RexKramer
22-08-2009, 16:33
Red Bull Salzburg has won the duel of the vice champions of EBEL and Czech Extraliga against Slavia Prague with 5:1. Very good result for the Bulls, guest player Stefan Ulmer who will return to Spokane now scored again in the PP as also against Cologne. Klagenfurt is still winless in the preseason as they could not hold on to a 3:2 lead versus Langnau and got scored on by the Swiss 22'' to the end.
Olimpija also went Swiss these days and faced Lausanne (NLB) in a first game which ended 2:2. Today the challenge will increase as the Greens will meet NLA side Fribourg.
RexKramer
23-08-2009, 00:15
Graz 99ers continue their streak beating Langnau also in the return game with a score of 5:2. Alba Volan defendes the title of the Sosnowiec cup by winning the final 2:1 against Zilina of the Slovak Extraliga. In Switzerland Olimpija Ljubljana went down 5:2 against the NLA representative Fribourg.
Alltogether up to now a very good record of the EBEL teams.
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