Icehl squad presentation 2025: Graz99ers (6/13)

The Preseason is coming to an end and the new season of Icehl is just around the corner. Time to take a look at the teams and deal with the squads with which the 13 clubs go into the new season. We present the squad, you take over the evaluation: with our survey tool at the end of the article.

With the entry of investor Herbert Jerich last year, the Graz99ers want to go up again. After the quarter -finals last season, where you narrowly failed to the Black Wings Linz, the ambitions have increased significantly. The declared goal is now to reach a fixed place in the Champions Hockey League – that is, to prove rank first or two after the basic round. In order to support this requirement, the budget was raised and the squad was reinforced in all parts of the team.

TRAINER

Everything stays the same in the gang: Head coach Harry Lange goes into his second season with the Steirers. Born in the Klagenfurt, he had previously been active at the EC Bad Nauheim in the DEL2 for six years, where he worked as an assistant and three years as head coach for three years. In the summer of 2024 he took over the 99ers and led them to the quarter -finals. He also gained international experience when he acted as an assistant coach of the Austrian national team at the 2023 World Cup. Associate Coach Nate Dicasmirro and goalkeeper coach Andreas Eriksson will be supported for a long time.

GOALKEEPER

Those responsible set an exclamation mark on the goalkeeper position. With Maxime Lagace, an experienced goalie joins the team that was never drafted, but did 21 NHL games for the Vegas Golden Knights, Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning. He should ensure the security that his predecessor Jonas Gunnarsson often went. The Swede could not fulfill the expectations, which is why the contract was disregarded. Nicolas Wieser takes place again behind Lagace. Born in Villacher last season 13 times in the box of the Grazer, knew how to convince and extended his contract until 2027 at the beginning of the year. At the age of 28, he would now like to take the next step and also establish himself in the national team.

DEFENDER

The foundation is largely preserved on the defensive. Frank Hora established herself as a reliable two-way defender with an offensive urge last season and brought it to a considerable 33 points. Next to him, Korbinian Holzer, the long-time NHL professional of the Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Nashville Predators, ensures stability and leadership qualities. He came to Graz last season, signed for two years and is considered an important leader in the cabin tract, even if he missed the end of last season injured. Another internationally experienced defender is available with Nick Bailen. He came from Cologne during the season, where he shone as an offensive service provider and collected a total of 82 points for the sharks in three years. He immediately convinced for the 99ers with 14 points in 18 games.

The defense bulwark is complemented by the rock -solid Nico Brunner, who, after stations in Villach and Vienna, mainly with his error game, as well as national team player Kilian Zündel, who has again gained a foothold in the Vienna Capitals after two years in Switzerland and a short -intermzzo and signed in Graz until 2027. The tall and talented Paul Stapelfeldt and the Danish national defender Anders Koch, who most recently played in the Finnish top league and was also in use at the home World Cup in Herning, for Denmark. With the talents Johannes Gruber and Paul Reiner, two promising self -building players are also available who are to be carefully introduced to the professional business.

Kader 2025/26 (under contract)	Goal: Maxime Lagacé, Nicolas Wieser Defense: Nico Brunner, Frank Hora, Korbinian Holzer, Kilian Zündel, Paul Stapelfeldt, Anders Koch, Nick Bailen Storm: Manuel Ganahl, Kevin Roy, Tim Harnisch, Paul Huber, Lukas Haudum, Lukas Kainz, Lenz Moosbrugger, Michael Schiechl, Marcus Vela, Chris Collins, Nick Swaney, Nico Feldner, Josh Currie
Confirmed approaches:	Paul Stapelfeldt (Salzburg), Chris Collins (Augsburg), Nick Swaney (Chicago Wolves), Anders Koch (Kiekko-E-ESPOO), Nico Feldner (Black Wings Linz), Josh Currie (Cologne Haie), Maxime Lagacé (Färjestad)
Confirmed departures:	Sam Antonitsch (Vienna Capitals), Jacob Pfeffer, Michael Kernberger, Ramon Schnetzer, Rok Tičar (Puster Valley), Stephen Harper, Casey Bailey, Jimmy Oligny (Cardiff), Trevor Gooch (EV Landshut), Clemens Krainz, Jakob Engelhart & Markus Hanl (Kitzbühel/Lit), Paul Reiner (Loit to Zell am See), Jonas Gunnarsson, Sascha Bauer (end of career)
Any approaches/contract extensions:
Any departures:

STRIKER

A lot has also happened in the attack. Sam Antonitsch left the Styrian in the direction of Vienna, but Nico Feldner came from Linz. The team -internal top scorer Trevor Gooch, Casey Bailey, Rok Ticar and Stephen Harper are no longer in the squad. While Ticar Ligainters moved to the HC Pustertal in South Tyrol, GOOCH went into the DEL2 in Landshut and for Harper in the British Eihl. Bailey is currently without a club. However, important supports remain: Marcus Vela, whose contract has already been extended prematurely, as well as Kevin Roy, who already has a two -year paper. Thus, these two offensive figureheads are also part of the 99ers.

You are particularly excited about Chris Collins, who changes to the Mur after two years in Augsburg. The Canadian previously made a name for himself in Villach as a quick and technically strong center, which can open rooms for teammates at any time with its dynamics. With the signature at the Graz99ers, the 204-fold Icehl-Crack returns to the league.

The newcomers Nick Swaney and Josh Currie bring even more offensive power. Swaney played almost 200 games in the AHL and was most recently assistant captain of the Chicago Wolves. In 2017 he was drafted wildly by the Minnesota and is considered a promising reinforcement as a double NCAA champion. Currie, in turn, comes with a similar vita like Lagace: not drafted, but 22 times in the NHL. The Canadian was a reliable scorer in the AHL for a long time before moving to the KHL to Magnitogorsk in 2021. After two years in Russia and another season in the AHL, he stood on the ice for the Cologne sharks last year and scored 30 points. Now the reunification follows with his former team -mate Nick Bailen in Graz.

With this squad, the 99ers not only compensated for the departures, but even upgraded them. While the defensive relies on proven forces and international format, the offensive promises significantly more depth through newcomers such as Collins, Swaney and Currie. In addition, with Maxime Lagace there is a goalie that is supposed to give the team the security that she was missing last. The starting point is clear: Graz not only wants to go back to the quarter -finals, but a real word for the top positions. Whether it is enough for the targeted champions hockey League-Platz depends on how quickly the new players get used to and whether the team scores constantly. The potential is available – and fans can look forward to an exciting season at the Mur.

Now you are on: Where do you see the Graz99ers in the coming season?

Image: HCI