The EC iDM VSV continues to work intensively on the further development of its own young talent. In an interview with MeinBezirk.at, managing director Martin Winkler spoke openly about the current situation surrounding young self-made players and the challenges in the transition from youth to professional level.
Big gap between young talent and fighting team
The big gap between the U20 and the fighting team has been a concern for those in charge in Villach for a long time. Winkler repeatedly referred to the advantages of an additional team in the Alps Hockey League, as the EC-KAC has now established.
“That’s exactly why the KAC model with the Alps team is currently working so well, because young players are being developed there step by step,” explained the Adler’s CFO. In the short and medium term, the VSV could also consider a similar model, but financing is a decisive factor.
In principle, they are open to a team in the Alps Hockey League, as this would give young Austrian players important match practice at a higher level. At the same time, a project like this could also help to keep talent in Villach for longer.
VSV wants more local players
Winkler made it clear that the club did not consciously want to do without local players. “Personally, I would really like to have more local players in the squad,” the VSV managing director told “MeinBezirk”. The filling of the fourth line in particular is a recurring topic internally: “It can’t be the case that we don’t have our own player for the fourth line.” According to Winkler, there are currently no young players who the coaches would trust to permanently make the step into the professional squad.
In the long term, it would be a great success for the club if a player from its own youth team made it into the fighting team every two years.
The youth area is being reorganized
The junior division is also reorganizing itself organizationally. After Robert Moser’s departure, Darius Aalai will take over the organizational area, while Marco Pewal will act as the sporting contact for the coaches.
The club is hoping for better training conditions and more opportunities for the development of young players, especially with the new second hall. In addition to additional ice times, the infrastructure and off-ice area are also to be modernized.
Image: VSV/STEFAN
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