WC: 2023 Austria Roster Talk

[GuiLef14]

The roster for the first of five pre WC camps has been released, so it's time to open the thread.

Goaltenders:
David Madlener (Pioneers Vorarlberg)
Alexander Schmidt (VSV)
Nicolas Wieser (Graz 99ers)

Defense:
Michael Kernberger (Graz 99ers)
Erik Kirchschläger (Graz 99ers)
Luis Lindner (American Int. College)
Raphael Wolf (Black Wings Linz)
Bernd Wolf (HC Lugano)
Kilian Zündel (HC Ambri-Piotta)
Ramon Schnetzer (Black Wings Linz)
David Reinbacher (EHC Kloten)

Offense:
Stefan Gaffal (Black Wings Linz)
Elias Wallenta (VSV)
Emilio Romig (Black Wings Linz)
Raphael Herburger (HC Lugano)
Niklas Bretschneider (Black Wings Linz)
Nico Feldner (HC Innsruck)
Benjamin Baumgartner (SC Bern)
Dominic Zwerger (HC Ambri-Piotta)
Henrik Neubauer (EC Zeller Eisbären)
Felix Maxa (VSV)
Senna Peeters (HC Innsbruck)
Maximilian Rebernig (VSV)

There are already quite a few guys on the roster, who will make the final cut for the WC. One of the duo Madlener/Schmidt pretty sure will be the third goalie behind Starkbaum and Kickert.

On defense Bernd Wolf and especially Reinbacher already should have their spots for the tournament. Kirchschläger, Zündel and Raphael Wolf (because of his size) should also be possibilities. I don't think the other three have a realistic shot of making the team.

And upfront Baumgartner and Zwerger are no-brainers. Other than that, there will be more guys from this list, who will be on the final roster. But for them it's all about the performance in the camps. I'm pretty curious to see Senna Peeters for the first time in the jersey of Team Austria. Had a pretty good run at the end of the season with Innsbruck. And he'll definitely be one of the more prolific goalscorers for Austria in the future.

Click to read more...

 

[SoundAndFury]

Kirchschläger, Zündel and Raphael Wolf (because of his size) should also be possibilities. I don't think the other three have a realistic shot of making the team.

Sorry but how is Zundel not a lock? What feasible defensive group can one concoct without him on it?

 

[GuiLef14]

There may be some concerns, because he had a though first season with Ambri. He was far away from being a regular on the backend for his team with a lot of games without or just barely any icetime. But yeah, if he doesn't look totally out of place, he'll make the team.

If nobody is injured, this could be the D squad: Reinbacher, Nickl, Bernd Wolf, Heinrich, Unterweger, Strong, Maier, Zündel

 

[Eye of Ra]

There may be some concerns, because he had a though first season with Ambri. He was far away from being a regular on the backend for his team with a lot of games without or just barely any icetime. But yeah, if he doesn't look totally out of place, he'll make the team.

If nobody is injured, this could be the D squad: Reinbacher, Nickl, Bernd Wolf, Heinrich, Unterweger, Strong, Maier, Zündel

Whats the deal with Henrik Neubauer? born and raised in Sweden, played u17 WJC for Sweden.

 

[SoundAndFury]

There may be some concerns, because he had a though first season with Ambri. He was far away from being a regular on the backend for his team with a lot of games without or just barely any icetime. But yeah, if he doesn't look totally out of place, he'll make the team.

Oh right, 8 minutes average TOI. That is putrid.

 

[GuiLef14]

Whats the deal with Henrik Neubauer? born and raised in Sweden, played u17 WJC for Sweden.

Was a bit suprised when I saw his name on the roster to be honest. Totally forgot about him after he had left the ICEHL (still EBEL back then). I think his mother is austrian, that's why he can play for Austria.

But if he hasn't improved massively in the last couple of years, one can't expect that much of him.

 

[Levshunov]

Oliver Achermann Not Considered?
M.Raffl and Obrist will join the team later?
Was Stefan Ulmer considered top 8 if he was healthy?
Are Ali Wukovits and Thomas Raffl considered as international players?
Fabio Hofer finished playing for the national team?
You would have an interesting team if all the strongest played.

 

[GuiLef14]

Oliver Achermann Not Considered?
M.Raffl and Obrist will join the team later?
Was Stefan Ulmer considered top 8 if he was healthy?
Are Ali Wukovits and Thomas Raffl considered as international players?
Fabio Hofer finished playing for the national team?
You would have an interesting team if all the strongest played.

Achermann still has to play the relegation with HC La Chaux-de-Fonds against HC Ajoie for a possible promotion.
M. Raffl will join the team later I guess as he's a lock of course. With Obrist I'm not sure, but Bader really likes him for the 4th line, so he'll probably also be part of the team.
Stefan Ulmer has retired because of a hip injury.
Wukovits and T. Raffl both have a good shot ok making the team. Although one has to admit, that T. Raffl already is 36 years old. So his career is nearing the end.
And Fabio Hofer has retired from national team.
Konstantin Komarek is another player, that hasn't played for Team Austria for quite some time and won't do it this year either. But he said in an interview a few weeks ago, that his national team career isn't over yet.

So you are totally right. We would have an interesting team, if every player would be available. But I'm pretty confident that our team will be quite strong for austrian standards nonetheless. Right now I'd predict the following forward group:

Kasper, M. Raffl, Baumgartner, Zwerger, Haudum, Nissner, Schneider, P. Huber, M. Huber, Achermann, Wukovits, T. Raffl, Obrist.

With Rossi we have to wait and see. If Iowa and/or Minnesota makes a deep playoff run, he probably won't be able to plat at the WC.

 

[Hanji]

Ugh. What a shame no Hofer and Komarek. A top 6 of Rossi (if available), Kasper, Komarek, Hofer, Raffl and Zwerger would be really impressive for Austrian hockey.

 

[Levshunov]

Ugh. What a shame no Hofer and Komarek. A top 6 of Rossi (if available), Kasper, Komarek, Hofer, Raffl and Zwerger would be really impressive for Austrian hockey.

For me, this is also a mystery) The guys could make some noise in the top division

 

[GuiLef14]

Unfortunately Michael Raffl won't participate at the WC. Apparently he has a shoulder injury and needed injections in order to play the last 8 games for Lausanne this season. He now wants to fully recover to be at 100% at the start of the next season.

 

[Garl]

Why is Komarek not selected though? Seems odd

 

[GuiLef14]

Komarek refused because of personal reason. Same with Michael Raffl. Kasper now is hurt and can't play and Rossi probably won't be able to play, because he's still with Iowa/Minnesota.

Pretty tough break for us, I'd say. So other players have to step up.

 

[Khokhlach86]

Current roster

#	Name	Vorname	Pos	Größe	Gewicht	Geb. Dat.	R/L	Verein	GP	G	A	PIM
30	KICKERT	David	GK	188	81	16.03.94	L	EC Red Bull Salzburg (AUT)	84	0	0	2
31	MADLENER	David	GK	187	88	31.03.92	L	Pioneers Vorarlberg Eishockeyclub (AUT)	63	0	0	4
29	STARKBAUM	Bernhard	GK	186	91	19.02.86	L	EV spusu Vienna Capitals	145	0	0	12
1	VORAUER	Florian	GK	187	79	09.12.99	L	EC-KAC (AUT)	9	0	0	0
20	BRUNNER	Nico	D	181	78	17.09.92	L	EV spusu Vienna Capitals (AUT)	37	0	0	0
28	KIRCHSCHLÄGER	Erik	D	178	79	04.02.96	L	Moser Medical Graz99ers (AUT)	64	2	8	10
8	LINDNER	Luis	D	180	71	16.05.01	L	American International College (USA)	9	0	1	2
12	MAIER	David	D	187	85	12.01.00	R	EC-KAC (AUT)	42	1	6	47
25	NICKL	Thimo	D	188	80	04.12.01	R	AIK Stockholm (SWE)	11	0	1	15
5	REINBACHER	David	D	189	85	25.10.04	R	EHC Kloten (SUI)	2	0	1	0
24	STRONG	Steven	D	183	87	16.02.93	L	EC-KAC (AUT)	50	6	2	26
13	WIMMER	Philipp	D	193	93	13.12.01	L	EC Red Bull Salzburg (AUT)	19	0	1	27
32	WOLF	Bernd	D	178	84	23.02.97	L	HC Lugano (SUI)	62	2	11	32
14	ZÜNDEL	Kilian	D	179	80	17.01.01	R	HC Ambri-Piotta (SUI)	39	2	4	16
26	ACHERMANN	Oliver	F	195	93	16.01.94	R	HC La Chaux-de-Fonds (SUI)	16	1	2	0
10	BALTRAM	Florian	F	180	81	25.03.97	L	EC Red Bull Salzburg (AUT)	19	1	5	4
18	BAUMGARTNER	Benjamin	F	176	78	22.04.00	L	SC Bern (SUI)	36	3	13	14
15	FELDNER	Nico	F	188	88	11.10.98	R	Hockey-Club TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie (AUT)	22	4	2	4
6	GAFFAL	Stefan	F	182	80	24.11.96	R	Steinbach Black Wings Linz (AUT)	21	2	4	2
17	GANAHL	Manuel	F	182	81	12.07.90	L	EC-KAC (AUT)	126	23	24	105
21	HAUDUM	Lukas	F	183	84	21.05.97	L	EC-KAC (AUT)	89	21	23	36
27	HUBER	Paul	F	193	101	10.06.00	L	EC Red Bull Salzburg (AUT)	22	3	0	4
4	KRAUS	Nikolaus	F	182	81	21.11.96	L	EC-KAC (AUT)	8	0	0	6
7	MAXA	Felix	F	187	90	14.11.97	L	EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV (AUT)	25	2	2	12
19	NEUBAUER	Henrik	F	183	90	15.04.97	R	Eishockeyclub Zeller Eisbären (AUT)	5	1	2	0
9	ROMIG	Emilio	F	175	81	19.09.92	L	Steinbach Black Wings Linz (AUT)	7	1	0	10
22	SCHWINGER	Simeon	F	182	75	07.10.97	L	EC-KAC (AUT)	28	2	0	16
23	THALER	Lucas	F	180	76	21.01.02	R	EC Red Bull Salzburg (AUT)	13	6	3	27
11	WALLNER	Leon	F	184	82	01.07.02	R	Söertälje SK (SWE)	6	0	0	0
16	ZWERGER	Dominic	F	183	93	16.07.96	L	HC Ambri-Piotta (SUI)	51	13	14	29

 

[ozo]

Where is kabidjan when we need him? I don't know what to make out of this roster...

 

[HungryFrank]

Where is kabidjan when we need him? I don't know what to make out of this roster...

probably celebrating the fact that there is no Dominique Heinrich on the roster

 

[Khokhlach86]

 

[Eye of Ra]

probably celebrating the fact that there is no Dominique Heinrich on the roster

he is back..

 

[GuiLef14]

The final roster becoming more and more clear.

GOALTENDER: Starkbaum, Kickert and Madlener are set. No 1 position probably still isn't decided as Kickert made a pretty strong case for himself in the second game against Czechia.

DEFENSE: Reinbacher, Nickl, Heinrich, Bernd Wolf, Maier, Strong and Zündel should be set (according to Bernd Freimüller as well). That's - at least namewise - our strongest defense line-up in a long, long time. Lindner, Brunner and Wimmer are fighting for the last remaining spot(s). Every one of them would bring a different element to the team --> Lindner (Skill), Brunner (Experience), Wimmer (Size). I'd go with Lindner and Brunner, if we take 9 D to the WC.

OFFENSE: It seems that Schneider will join the team in Finland after his recovery from a broken hand. That's very good news. Beside him Nissner, Rossi, Haudum, Achermann, Wukovits, Ganahl, Zwerger, Mario Huber, Paul Huber and Thomas Raffl should already have their spots. For the last two remaining spots Thaler, Baltram, Feldner, Schwinger and Neubauer are options. Probably won't make much different, which two will go to Finland. But I'd give Neubauer a shot, as he really impressed in the camps despite playing just in the AlpsHL.

So all in all we do have quite a good roster, especially on defense. Up front there are a few tough losses (Michael Raffl, Kasper, Baumgartner, Komarek), but there is still plenty of skill available. Would be a huge disappointment, if we would be relegated with this roster.

 

[SoundAndFury]

probably celebrating the fact that there is no Dominique Heinrich on the roster

Just read this now but that was the first thought in my head as well

Regarding the team itself, it should have a relatively easy time beating Hungary to avoid relegation if they play anywhere close to their potential and France is a 50/50 game, seems to me like Austria is stronger on D, France is better at F.

 

[Eye of Ra]

The final roster becoming more and more clear.

GOALTENDER: Starkbaum, Kickert and Madlener are set. No 1 position probably still isn't decided as Kickert made a pretty strong case for himself in the second game against Czechia.

DEFENSE: Reinbacher, Nickl, Heinrich, Bernd Wolf, Maier, Strong and Zündel should be set (according to Bernd Freimüller as well). That's - at least namewise - our strongest defense line-up in a long, long time. Lindner, Brunner and Wimmer are fighting for the last remaining spot(s). Every one of them would bring a different element to the team --> Lindner (Skill), Brunner (Experience), Wimmer (Size). I'd go with Lindner and Brunner, if we take 9 D to the WC.

OFFENSE: It seems that Schneider will join the team in Finland after his recovery from a broken hand. That's very good news. Beside him Nissner, Rossi, Haudum, Achermann, Wukovits, Ganahl, Zwerger, Mario Huber, Paul Huber and Thomas Raffl should already have their spots. For the last two remaining spots Thaler, Baltram, Feldner, Schwinger and Neubauer are options. Probably won't make much different, which two will go to Finland. But I'd give Neubauer a shot, as he really impressed in the camps despite playing just in the AlpsHL.

So all in all we do have quite a good roster, especially on defense. Up front there are a few tough losses (Michael Raffl, Kasper, Baumgartner, Komarek), but there is still plenty of skill available. Would be a huge disappointment, if we would be relegated with this roster.

Yeah its a decent team. With M.Raffl, Kasper, Baumgartner and Komarek its possible the team could have reached QF.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Yeah its a decent team. With M.Raffl, Kasper, Baumgartner and Komarek its possible the team could have reached QF.

Don't see these guys making a big difference against Germany, they are just better everywhere. Even with a couple of solid forwards this team is still completely overmatched by Germans in goal and on defense.

 

[BigBadBoar]

Yeah its a decent team. With M.Raffl, Kasper, Baumgartner and Komarek its possible the team could have reached QF.

I also think they have decent chance this year.

 

[SoundAndFury]

I also think they have decent chance this year.

Based on?

 

[BigBadBoar]

Based on?

The composition of the roster, what else? It would still be a surprise but they definitely have better chance than in the Last couple of years.