In February 2024, Dario Winkler ended his career as a professional ice hockey player. Now the 28-year-old Tyrolean will soon be celebrating his ICEHL comeback – but this time as the main referee.
The Hall native played a total of 274 games this season in the top domestic league. He scored 26 goals and collected 72 scorer points. “Growing up” in the Red Bull Salzburg academy, Winkler took the leap overseas in 2015 and played a year in the Western Hockey League.
In 2016, he returned to Austria – until the end of his career, Winkler was on the ice for Salzburg, the Vienna Capitals and HC Innsbruck. He should also play in five games for HC Kufstein in 2024/25.
Now on the other side
The former striker, who also played for the Austrian national team, will soon make his debut as a head referee. According to Bernd Freimüller, this will take place on December 6th at the Haie’s home game against Hydro Fehervar AV19. Rene Huber, Mario Huber’s brother, will also officiate his first match as main referee a day later, between the Pioneers and Fehervar. There is good news from Julia Kainberger, who was injured a few weeks ago: she is fit again.
Image: HCI
