Vorauer fights for the World Cup ticket: a national hero in the goal?

Vorauer fights for the World Cup ticket: a national hero in the goal?

Austria's national ice hockey team faces a crucial phase, while they are preparing for the qualification for the 2026 Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Team boss Roger Bader not only has the option of appointing 25 players, including three goalkeepers, but also the responsibility to select the best talents.

Florian Vorauer, the backup keeper of the EC KAC, has great interest in becoming part of the national team despite his previous challenges. After his return to the national team after the final defeat in Win2day Ice Hockey League, he strives to secure a ticket for the ice hockey world championship in Stockholm. This process will deepen with further international games in the coming months.

services and challenges

Vorauer has already completed six caps, including a 0: 4 defeat against the Czech Republic, in which he was praised by team boss Bader for his performance. Bader even described him as Austria's best player in the friendly. Despite his commitment, Vorauer, who has not been able to play since February 14, emphasized that he had to get in again after a long break.

While he fought for third place in the World Cup contingent against Benedikt Oschgan, Atte Tolvanen and David Kickert are apparently on the safe side. Vorauer was also part of the goalkeeper trio in the Olympic qualification, where he stayed without conceding. At the beginning of the season, however, he could not use enough offers and therefore had mixed services.

The Olympic qualification 2026

In the Olympic qualification, Vorauer will compete with David Kickert and Thomas Höneckl. This qualification is carried out in three groups, with Austria playing in Group D, which takes place in Slovakia. The start of the Austrian team is against the hosts, followed by games against Kazakhstan and Hungary.

The importance of this qualification is high because the best teams are given the opportunity to qualify for the Olympic Games. In the past, the Austrian players were able to show remarkable achievements, such as a 6: 6 draw against Canada and a 3-2 victory against Finland at the last World Cup.

The competition is strong because Slovakia is the best -placed team in the group and has already played in the quarter -finals of the 2023 World Cup. Vorauer must therefore continue to stay ready and fit to help his team be successful. He currently has no contract for the 2025/26 season, but plans to stay with the EC KAC to continue his career there.

While the preparation for the 2026 Olympic Games begins, the focus remains on the coming games in order to successfully cut off as a team and to secure a placement for the Olympics. As Vorauer emphasizes, "you have to use the chances", and that is exactly what the Austrian national team has in mind.

Olympics.com . Current developments and the subsequent nomination of Vorauer are also considered crucial for the further course of the qualification, as 5min