A really big name at the EKZ is quitting. Fredrik Widen, one of the faces of the club, is hanging up his skates after eight seasons with the Eisbären.
Fredrik Widen moved to the Eisbären in the summer of 2016. The defender immediately developed into a top performer and impressed as an excellent ice skater with his offensive drive and strong game structure. In his debut season, the left-handed shooter was immediately the best goalscorer and second best scorer. He continued to demonstrate his skills in the following seasons and quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his playing style, but also his approachable manner off the ice.
The liaison between the polar bears and Widen was briefly interrupted from 2019 to 2021, with stopovers in France and Germany to follow. In the summer of 2021 we returned home and number 97 performed as ever. In an organization that has now significantly strengthened, the titles followed.
In 2023 the Austrian championship in the Alps Hockey League – an incredible comeback for Zeller: After a 0:3 at home, they won in Salzburg with a total score of 4:3 after extra time. Fredrik Widen was involved in all four goals and was therefore primarily responsible for this success.
Last year the really big coup came with the title in the Alps Hockey League. Widen himself only missed two games and was on the ice 55 times. The number 97 has further developed his style of play and has improved significantly, especially in defensive play. After winning the Austrian title for the second time in the past season, Fredrik Widen, who has long since become a native, is now saying a more than dignified farewell to hockey retirement.
In total he played 326 games for the Eisbären. He scored 63 goals, added 204 hits and is +80. The career ends – the memories remain.
The board of the Zeller Eisbären would like to thank Fredrik for his great commitment on the ice and his valuable contribution to the club. We wish the Swede, who has made his home in Zell am See, all the best and much success for his new, extremely exciting professional challenge. His time with the Eisbären was also marked by exceptional sporting success: in the last five years since his return, Fredrik has celebrated no fewer than three titles – the triumph in the Alps Hockey League and two Austrian championships. Everyone involved looks back on these successes with great pride and is grateful to have experienced and celebrated these special moments together with Fredrik and many other athletes.
