Some teams were behind the shutdown defender Paul Stapelfeldt, the Moser Medical Graz99ers finally took the race. In the Styrian capital, the pressure will not be less than in Salzburg.
Born in Braunauer, he goes to his seventh season in Win2day Ice Hockey League this year, but to his first in which he will not appear for the EC Red Bull Salzburg. The 196cm giant was able to celebrate four championship titles with the Mozartstadt, now he wanted to “get out of the comfort zone” as he Kronen Zeitung
revealed. But the main reason was that you want to invest in Graz and be successful: “Firstly, I personally wanted a change and out of the comfort zone and secondly there is something big in Graz, I want to be there. I want to help the 99ers with my strengths.”
There is no integration difficulties in Murstadt for the national team defender, since he knows some cracks from his time on Salzach. “I know Paul Huber, Kilian Zündel, Nico Wieser and Tim Harnisch from Salzburg, Michi Schiechl I know as a spectator in the Volksgarten. It is funny to meet so many familiar faces. In the cabin it is almost like a small home.”
Now you are preparing for the coming season in which the big throw should succeed. A lot has been changed on the squad, you are positioned wider. This is accompanied by a certain degree of pressure: “The pressure is certainly not less than in Salzburg,” said Stapfelfeldt. “With this orientation and this squad, the goal must be to play in front. We want to win every game”.
Image: Pa pictures/ Manuel Mackinger
