Nick Bailen looks back on his first year with the Graz 99ers – and more successfully than ever. Officially arrived in Graz on December 27, 2024, the anniversary feels significantly longer for the 36-year-old defender.
“To be honest, it almost feels like two full seasons,” Bailen told the “Crown newspaper“. Things are currently going great in terms of sport: With 35 points, he is the 99ers’ best scorer, and his 29 assists are even the league’s best. In the recent 4-3 overtime win against the Black Wings alone, he contributed three assists. In the league, only one defender has more points to his name, namely Laibach’s TJ Brennan, who has 38 points.
More ice time, more points
A key to his strong form is the significantly increased ice time. “My role in the team hasn’t changed, but I’m on the ice much longer now – often up to 28 minutes,” explains Bailen. His health is also crucial: “I’ve had some serious injuries over the past few years. Now I’m doing very well again.” That’s exactly why he was looking for a new sporting start in Graz a year ago – and found it.
The chemistry in the locker room is right
Bailen also sees the 99ers on the right track as a team. From his point of view, the renewed upheaval in the squad is bearing fruit: “We have found the right characters and the chemistry within the team is clearly better than last year.” Bailen gets along particularly well with Josh Currie, with whom he already played together at Kölner Haien. “Of course, all of these factors ensure that I have become my usual points factory again.”
The goal is clear: playoffs and a deep “run” there that, in the best case scenario, ends with the title: “We definitely have the potential for that as a team,” Bailen is convinced. After a somewhat inconsistent start to the season, the 99ers’ game has recently clearly stabilized: “It’s been going really well for six or seven weeks. The rebounds are going in the right direction and we’re blocking the important shots.”
On St. Stephen’s Day, the people of Graz were able to report back from the short Christmas break with a victory. Today we welcome a real top opponent in the wolves from Pustertal. After that, things continue in quick succession, with four more games to follow until January 5th.
Image: Dorner_pioneers.hockey
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