A bitter story repeats itself for Kevin Macierzynski: After the Dornbirn Bulldogs left in 2022, the 33-year-old is now once again facing an uncertain future – this time after Pit Gleim’s withdrawal from the Pioneers Vorarlberg.
When club president Pit Gleim announced his departure to the players at the end of March, there was a huge shock. “Not again,” says Macierzynski, describing his first thoughts and drawing parallels to the situation in Dornbirn at the time.
The situation is particularly emotional for the Vorarlberg native. Growing up in Feldkirch and training in the VEU’s youth ranks, returning to the Ländle was once a conscious decision. After stints in Linz and Dornbirn, among others, he recently played back home – but now the next abrupt end of the chapter is looming. A total of eleven years in Vorarlberg ice hockey could be over for the time being.
The first offers are available
Despite the uncertainty, Macierzynski is looking forward. The striker emphasized to the “Vorarlberger Nachrichten” that his career is far from over and believes he is still in good physical shape. The first offers have already been made, but the situation remains difficult – not just for him personally, but for the entire ice hockey in the region, which could continue to lose importance without quick solutions.
League sets deadline
As of today, it has not yet been decided whether the Pioneers will continue, although it is now considered very unlikely. The ICEHL announced yesterday that the club must provide clarity within the next three weeks as to whether it will take part in the 2026/27 season.
Pic: Dorner_pioneers.hockey
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