The EC Red Bull Salzburg begins the basic round of Win2day Ice Hockey League 2025/26 on Friday, September 12, with the away game against HCB South Tyrol Alperia (7:45 p.m., Livestream on Sporteurope.tv).
As usual from the past few years, in which the duel between the two teams has developed into an emotional long-running favorite, the Salzburger in the Sparkasse Arena await a hot duel for the semi-final opponent last season.
Starting position
When you speak of the eternally young ice hockey duel in Salzburg, you first think of the duel of the Red Bulls with the KAC. This sporting rivalry, which has existed since 2004, has its special charm. Since 2013, HCB South Tyrol has also been involved in the ICE Hockey League and has developed into a top -class permanent rival in parallel to the duels with the Carinthians for the Red Bulls. The playoff series of the past three years alone have not missed hardness and tension and viewed in this light, the 13th season together with the South Tyroleans should also set some ice hockey gloss lights again.
Bolzano with a new head coach
The most interesting personnel in the South Tyrolean is certainly the new head coach Kurt Kleinendorst. The 64-year-old American replaced Glen Hanlon in summer, who steered the South Tyrolean fortunes for three years. Kleinendorst brings experience as NHL Assistant Coach, Head Coach in the AHL and as head coach in the DEL in Ingolstadt, Nuremberg and Iserlohn. In the last two seasons, Kleinendorst has not worked as a trainer. So there is a duel between two new head coaches in Bolzano, because with Manny Viveiros a new head coach also holds the reins in their hands at the Red Bulls.
Cader exchanged one third
Ten players left the Italian club in summer; Including Mike Halmo and Braden Christofferer who hung up the ice skates. Eight actors have joined the club. The new striker Shane Gersich has already given a good debut in the Chl (2 wins, 2 defeats) with 2 goals and 2 assists. The South Tyroleans can also continue to rely on accurate types such as Dustin Gazley or Matt Bradley. And with Samuel Harvey, know one of the best league goals between the poles. The 27-year-old Canadian recorded the second best league value with a 92.5% catch rate in the last ICE season (behind leaders, Tolvanen at 93%).
Red Bulls want to prolong good performance from the Chl
At the defending champion of the ICE Hockey League, the four new professionals Connor Corcoran, Devante Stephens, Michael Raffl and Travis St. Denis have already settled in well and performed well with the team in the Chl (2 victories, 2 defeats). In the defeats in Finland, the Salzburgers played with the top teams Ilves and Kalpa over long distances at eye level and want to take this swing directly to Bolzano. And compensate for the failure of seven players with some academy players; Ali Wukovits, Peter Hochkofler, Mario Huber, Troy Bourke, Philipp Wimmer, Maximilian Wurzer and Vadim Schreiner continue to laborate to their injuries.
Statement Lucas Thaler: “Now it really starts. We already had good games in the Champions Hockey League and were able to learn a lot there. We have an interesting game with Bolzano right from the start. Bozen prepared well and we are also in top shape. It will be a hard game and I’m really looking forward to the game.”
Win2day Ice Hockey League
HCB South Tyrol Alperia – EC Red Bull Salzburg
Fri, 12.09.2025 | Bolzano, 7:45 p.m.
www.redbulls.com, Image: HCB/Vanna Antonello
