Just a few weeks ago, the end of the Pioneers Vorarlberg seemed sealed. After the announced withdrawal of president and patron Pit Gleim, the ICE League club was faced with an uncertain future. Now there are apparently signs of a possible turnaround.
Pioneers plan to stay in the ICE league
As the “NEUE” reports, the Feldkirchen team is currently working on a minimum budget in order to be able to compete in the ICE Hockey League in the coming season.
Accordingly, a strongly rejuvenated team should be built. In addition to young import players, young Austrian talents in particular could form the team’s framework. According to information from those around the league, the Pioneers are currently intensively inquiring about young local players.
Return of Pit Gleim?
Particularly explosive: At a sponsors’ meeting at the beginning of the week, ex-president Pit Gleim is said to have signaled his willingness to continue to support the club – albeit to a much lesser extent.
At the end of March, Gleim announced his retirement as president and patron. A partial return would bring new hope, but at the same time it would also underline the difficult and confusing situation surrounding the club.
Competitiveness remains a big question mark
Whether staying in the ICE Hockey League would actually be a positive development is apparently viewed critically internally and across the league.
The concern: With an extremely small budget, the Pioneers could hardly be competitive in sports. The Feldkirchen team clearly missed the pre-play-offs last season and ended up 20 points short of tenth place.
If even more savings are made in the squad, there is a risk of another difficult season.
Also an economic risk
According to “NEUE”, the decisive factor will be whether the coming season can be fully financed. Because a team without a realistic sporting perspective is unlikely to ensure full ranks in the Vorarlberghalle.
Those responsible are faced with a difficult balancing act between sporting survival and economic rationality.
Fan fundraiser with low response
At the same time, a fan-initiated fundraising campaign for the Pioneers continues. Money is being collected under the motto that children in Vorarlberg should continue to dream of professional ice hockey.
However, the response so far remains manageable: after around a week and a half, according to the report, only 205 euros were raised. The stated goal is 18,000 euros.
Pic: Dorner_pioneers.hockey
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