Icehl squad presentation 2025: Olimpija Ljubljana (4/13)

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.

After a disappointing last season that ended with the early end of the pre-playoff against HC Pustertal, all signs are now on attack in Slovenia. With the entry of Canadian investor and Vice President Alexandre Lefebvre, such a season will remain the exception in the future. The budget in the Slovenian capital could be raised significantly, and thus the green dragons are increasingly developing into a serious opponent. Young domestic talents could be kept, plus a strong Slovenian core with numerous national players and well -known newcomers from the best leagues in Europe. A few years ago, such a scenario in Ljubljana would have been unthinkable.

TRAINER

At the beginning of last season, the Finnish coach Anti Karhula was on the gang, who previously worked as a head coach in Fehervar. Shortly before Christmas, however, the paths separated due to disappointing performance. In the interior, assistant coach Andrej Tavzelj, who led the green dragons until the end of the season. In the coming season, he will return to his role as an assistant. As the new head coach, the Ben Cooper club, who spent the past four years in Salzburg for the past four years and won the title every time. In the city of Mozart, the 48-year-old was initially two years of assistant coach before acting as Associate Coach of the series master in the last two seasons. Now, after his last head coach engagement at the Herning Blue Fox in Denmark (2020/21), he will again take over a post as the main person. It remains to be seen whether Cooper can transfer the success from Salzburg to the Slovenian capital.

GOALKEEPER

Little has changed between the posts. The native Czech Lukas Horak, now Slovenian citizen and national goalkeeper, remains clear number 1. In the past two seasons, he was a reliable backing with sometimes spectacular saves. The 21-year-old Luka Kolin, who has already proven, is waiting behind him that he can step in when it is necessary.

DEFENDER

There was a change in the defensive on the legionnaires. Only Shawn Lalonde received a new contract. Wyatt Ege and Arvin Atwal left the club, while TJ Brennan, Clayton Kirichenko and Nathanel Halbert were re hired. All three have already demonstrated their class in the ICEHL. Brennan in particular is considered a royal transfer. In the 2020/21 season, he scored an impressive 60 points in 59 games for Salzburg. On the home side, the dragons with Bine Masic and Jan Cosic were able to keep their biggest young hopes. The defense is supplemented by veteran Blaz Gregorc and Aljosa Crnovic. With Brennan and Kirichenko, two offensive defenders are added, while Lalonde is known for his firing power. Masic already showed his qualities on the offensive. It will be exciting to observe whether the defense is not too offensive.

Kader 2025/26 (under contract)	Goal: Lukas Horak Defense: Bine Masic, Shawn Lalonde, Clayton Kirichenko, Blaz Gregorc, TJ Brennan, Nathanael Halbert Storm: Ziga Pance, Nick Bonino, Nicolai Meyer, Nik Simšič, Evan Polei, Rok Kapel, Lovro Kumanovic, Zach Boychuk, Miha Bericic, Marcel Mahkovec, Jaka Sodja, Ziga Pance, Ziga Mehle, Marly Quince, Alex Petan
Confirmed approaches:	Nicolai Meyer (Södertälje), Clayton Kirichenko (Liptovsky Mikulas), Evan Polei (Stavanger Oilers), Zach Boychuk (Eisbären Berlin), Marly Quince (Fischtown Pinguins), Alex Petan (Puster Valley), TJ Brennan (Ajoie), Nathanael Halbert)
Confirmed departures:	Blaž Tomaževič, Lan Kavčič, Rudolf Červeny, Maris Bičevskis (HK Mogo), Wyatt Ege, Kale Kerbashian, Alexandre Lavoie (Marseille), Nick Bonino (career end)
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OFFENSIVE

While you can speak of a change in defense, you have to speak of a complete fresh start in the Legionär sector in the attack. Not a single foreign striker received an extension. Only Nick Bonino had already signed, but decided on a coaching career at the Pittsburgh Penguins. Accordingly, the green dragons had to strike strongly on the transfer market – and they did with considerable success. Nicolai Meyer, master hero from Salzburg, returns to the league. The Italo-Canadian Alex Petan comes from HC Pustertal, who has shown his offensive qualities in the league for years. The biggest coup is Zach Boychuk, a four -time German champion with the Eisbären Berlin.

Also new is the robust and dangerous Evan Poland from Norway. Marly Quince, who comes from the DEL like Boychuk, will probably lead the third line in the center and should be a reliable two-way striker. In addition, there is an experienced local block with veteran like Robert Sabolic or Ziga Pance and young forces such as Marcel Mahkovec or Rok chapel. The offensive of the green dragons definitely does not lack experience and quality. With players like Meyer, Boychuk or Sabolic, you have players in the squad who know exactly how to win titles.

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

Image: www.facebook.com/hkolimpija