Austria's ice hockey: quarter-finals reached - but Switzerland stops!

Austria's ice hockey: quarter-finals reached - but Switzerland stops!

Austria's national ice hockey team has reached a significant milestone with its quarter-final participation in the 2023 Ice Hockey World Championships in Sweden and Denmark. This was the first Ice Hockey World Championship in which Austria advanced to the last eight since 1994 Laola1 reported. However, in this crucial game against Switzerland, the ÖEHV team was defeated 6-0. Despite this defeat, the team was able to generate funding of $575,000 (€507,210) from the IIHF, the world ice hockey association, which was provided by participating in the quarterfinals. Each player receives a bonus of 9,200 US dollars (8,115 euros), including daily allowances of 150 euros.

After the World Cup, the ÖEHV still has around 200,000 euros left, which represents a solid financial basis for future challenges. Team boss and sports director Roger Bader remains active in promoting and developing the next generation of Austrian ice hockey.

The future of Austrian ice hockey

The predictions for the ÖEHV team show both promising talent and some challenges. In goal there are talented players such as David Kickert, Benedikt Oschgan and the Finnish import Atte Tolvanen. The extended circle includes Florian Vorauer and Sebastian Wraneschitz, while future stocks such as Patrick Müller and Martin Reder are mentioned.

In defense, David Maier, Thimo Nickl and other players are the key to future success. A challenge remains the succession of long-standing top performers such as Dominique Heinrich, who will probably no longer be in the team. On the attacking side, Benjamin Baumgartner and Lukas Haudum are among the central figures, while talents such as Luca Auer and Leon Kolarik are in the extended circle. The availability of NHL players could be crucial for future quarterfinal appearances.

The squad for the 2025 World Cup

The Austrian team will fly to Stockholm for the 2025 World Cup on Tuesday afternoon, May 9, 2025. The squad consists of 25 players and has an interesting mix to offer with Atte Tolvanen, Florian Vorauer and another seven World Cup debutants, according to the website eishockey.at reported. In total, the team has over 1,500 international matches experience, including five players who have already played over 100 international matches. Roger Bader emphasizes that the squad selection was difficult, but no negative decisions were made against the players who were recalled.

Austria's World Cup opener takes place against Finland at 4:20 p.m., and the entire tournament promises exciting encounters, including games against Sweden, Canada and France. All games will be broadcast live on ORF 1 or ORF SPORT+.

The 2025 World Cup schedule

The 2025 World Cup will take place from May 9th to 25th in Stockholm, Sweden and Herning, Denmark. Austria has a lot of potential for the tournament and is optimistic about the future IIHF highlights.