Austria: Austrian Prospects

Theokritos

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Apr 6, 2010
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Marco Rossi has been tested positive for Covid-19. Mild symptoms, apparently.

Daylon Groulx has asked for his contract with Klagenfurt to be "suspended" for health reasons. He has an undisclosed illness and has returned to Canada for the time being.
 
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Theokritos

Global Moderator
Apr 6, 2010
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Rundown of Austria's WJC squad by Bernd Freimüller:

Woes on defence:
"Thimo Nickl (#1 defenceman) and Kilian Zündel (#2 or at worst #3) are out due to Covid. Nickl would probably have taken on the role that Moritz Seider had on Team Germany last year (even if he doesn't have the same class as the soon-to-be NHL player): first in everything, powerplay, penaltykill, lots of ice time. With Martin Urbanek the potential defenceman #4 or #5 refrained from the team to focus on his education. Christoph Tialler from Klagenfurt would have been without any WJC (Division I) experience, but he might have been able to contribute offensively. Now the burden of built-up play rests almost entirely on Luis Lindner. The only other top-4 defenceman left is Jacob Pfeffer. Quick first passes or even carriny the puck under pressure will become even more of a kamizkaze operation than before."

Goaltenders:

Sebastian Wraneschitz (6 games for Vienna Capitals): "Number 1 going into the tournament. Has become more calm and economic in his movements over the years, tracks the puck well most of the time. But has to continue to work on closing holes in his body. Average size."

Jakob Brandner (6 games in the 3rd tier of the Finnish league): "Big, calm, but not very agile or athletic. Shotblocker, the defencemen have to handle second shots on rebounds."

Leon Sommer (2 games for Linz II in the Alps Hockey League): "Number 3. Has turned from a small goalie into an average-sized one, but still has to work on his body and his patience against shooters."

Defencemen:

Luis Lindner (no games this season): "After a year in the USA he's training with Villach, doesn't want to spoil the prospects of a college engagement with pro games. Transitioned from forward to defenceman years ago, a very good move by his then-coach Yannick Dube. Transition guy, can carry the puck out of the zone. Agility, first step and speed are certainly on WJC-level. Plays the point on the first PP unit. Can he also get something done against physically strong opponents or will they nip his build-up attempts in the bud?"

Jacob Pfeffer (17 games [not all with actual ice time] for Graz): "Solid defensive defenceman. Not big but strong. In Graz usually #7 defenceman. Will have to provide offensive services in Edmonton which could show up his limits. Honest, reliable player."

Philipp Wimmer (9 games for Salzburg II in the Alps Hockey League): "Another converted forward, has been injured a lot and therefore has some catching up to do when it comes to his main tasks. Very good size, good feet for a player of his size, strong shot from the blue line. Often tries low percentage plays that can't amount to anything and lead to turnovers or penalties. Has to keep his game simple, if he does he could also help the team offensively."

Bernhard Posch (12 games for Bregenzerwald in the Alps Hockey League): "Interesting assets (size, useful feet, puck skills that are okay) but has to keep game sample to be effective. Could move puck out of own zone but could also create danger for his own team."

Timo Pallierer (2 games for Vienna Capitals, but did he have ice time?): "Another converted forward. Good speed, but physical shortcomings even on levels lower than the WJC. Without match practice, missed the camp in November due to Covid."

Lukas Necesany (3 games for Salzburg II, 4 in Czech U18 league, 3 in Austrian U20 league): "Used to dominate U14 team with size and shot. Had to learn a team game. Hasn't grown as much as expected, but has more wit and puck skills under pressure than other defencemen. WJC is going to be a learning experience for him as the only 2003 defenceman. Has interesting upside."

Niklas Wetzl (16 games in Finnish U20 league): "Big defensive defenceman with limited skillset. Footwork will determine whether he can make use of his size at the WJC."

Jonas Kutzer (8 games for Bregenzerwald, 7 for Dornbirn but with little if any ice time): "Defensive defenceman with limited size."

Forwards:

Marco Rossi (1 game for ZSC Lions): "Will have to carry puck and distribute it and manage zone entries on the PP to provide relief offensively for his team. Already with NHL-like plays. His line should be the one most likely to tilt the ice in favour of Team Austria. Obvious choice for captain and offensive leader, the only player who would be a fixture on all the other teams. But that doesn't necessarily mean he will always show up on the stat sheet."

Senna Peeters (6 games in Swedish U20 league): "Should benefit from the build-up work of Rossi and Harnisch. Reacts very quickly around the net. Also an underrated passer. Has improved physically. Scouts will have an eye on his footwork (still needs improvement) and his work without the puck."

Tim Harnisch (9 games for Salzburg II, 1 game for Red Bull Salzburg): "Speed with and without the puck are on WJC-level, but he doesn't always see the passing options. Will he be able to win one-vs-one battles and create something for his linemates or will he skate into dead-ends? Unfortunately had a few injuries over the years, still one of the biggest hopes for Austria offensively."

Marco Kasper (7 games in Swedish U18 league, 6 games in U20): "Three years younger than most players. Playmaker with very good hands, great vision and a quick read. Could already be a factor, in particular on the PP. Number 2 center behind Rossi. It's possible that only his mask and his papers give away his age. Mandatory report for scouts."

Fabian Hochegger (8 games for Klagenfurt II in Alps Hockey League): "Long idle this season, joined Klagenfurt late. Before he went to Drummondville last year he was an intense forechecker with a very good shot. Missed the last WJC (Division I) with a concussion. Looked a bit weak with Klagenfurt, will have to improve his energy level for WJC."

Leon Wallner (11 games in Swedish U20 league): "Can play center and winger. Has become physically stronger over the years, steady on his skates, can get away from traffic in the corners, quick wrist-shot. Not an absolute skill-player, but produces offensively. Is hoping for a college engagement. Could start on the first PP unit and could earn a promotion to the first line over the course of the tournament."

Lucas Thaler (12 games in Swedish U20): "Good impact when he plays with energy, otherwise sometimes more of an also-ran. If he gets on the scoresheet it's through his will, not due to pure skills. Can play center and winger."

Clemens Krainz (10 games for Graz with limited or no icetime): "Injured for some time, without match practice he looked sluggish in November. Even before that lacking of speed. Big center, uses his reach at the boards and acts defensively solid. Will he be able to provide any offence at this level?"

Mathias Böhm (13 games for Vienna Capitals U18): "Set back by his club's decision to save money and dissolve the U20 team in the Alps Hockey League. Some of the bad habits that he had already left ehind in the Alps HL have crept back into his game since the level in the U18 league isn't much of a challenge for him. Often tries to skate around five opponents all on his own. Has assets for a pro career: big reach, hart shot, can score and understands the basics of the game well. Steep step up from the Austrian U18 league to the WJC."

Julian Pauschenwein (6 games for Graz without ice time, 2 for U20 team, 2 for Linz II): "Quit in Graz months ago after not getting any icetime, trained in Finland. Has to prove that he can be more than just an also-ran. Good feet, can create turnovers, but even on lower levels with limited offensive upside. Should help the PK."

Marlon Tschofen (18 games in the Swiss U20 league): "Long disappeared from the radar, my last report on him is from 2018. Back then he had a good role as player with netdrive and presence in the slot. Not a finesse player, but willing and (back then) also strong enough, not with average size. How have his feet developed?"

Dominik Unterweger (11 games for Feldkirch, Alps Hockey League): "Big player who doesn't play big most of the game. Hands are perhaps average. Can he find his role on the team and make use of his size?"

Finn Van Ee (12 games for Klagenfurt II): "Marco Kasper's long-time winger, lately also used as center. Still problems transitioning to senior hockey. Good touch around the goal, but will his leg strength (albeit improved) be sufficient?"

Maximilian Theirich (12 games for Klagenfurt II): "In junior hockey he made a living off his speed and scoring prowess. If he gets icetime at the WJC, can he get along physically?"

Original (in German): Österreichs U20-Team im Detail
 

kabidjan18

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Apr 20, 2015
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Recapping Austria’s Appearance at the 2021 World Junior Championships
Recapping Austria’s Appearance at the 2021 World Junior Championships

It's kinda awkward, now that Bernd Freimuller has said that he wouldn't do a player by player breakdown, for me to then do one...but I neither pretend to be an expert, nor do I want to pass up the chance to record my thoughts for future reference haha.
 

Theokritos

Global Moderator
Apr 6, 2010
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Fabian Hochegger is returning to Austria and expected to play for Klagenfurt II in the Alps Hockey League. Sounds like his contract with Drummondville is termined ("l’association est terminée").

 

Theokritos

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Apr 6, 2010
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This was already breaking news two days ago, but I didn't catch this earlier and want to post it for sake of completeness:

 

Theokritos

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Apr 6, 2010
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Reported before, but not here:



Meanwhile, David Maier has fallen out of favor in Klagenfurt:

 

Theokritos

Global Moderator
Apr 6, 2010
12,538
4,911
Marco Kasper on NHL Central Scouting watch list and given an A grade:



Edit: Vinzenz Rohrer (F, Ottawa 67's) is also on the list with a B grade.
 
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