The 36-year-old talks about the winning mentality at the EC Red Bull Salzburg, the upcoming duels with Villach in Win2day Ice Hockey League and the start of the Champions Hockey League.
Injuries are part of the sport. How did you deal with it, especially with the bad luck of injury in recent years?
Michael Raffl: “Unfortunately, that is part of it. At the age of 20 to 30, I was actually spared, except bone breaks when the puck hit me. The coarser injury was the first time for me. It throws you back, but a worker remains a worker.”
How do you want to bring your experience to the Salzburg team?
Michael Raffl: “I am simply myself and this is the most valuable thing you can bring in as a person. It is nice that a big Austrian stem is there and everyone wants the same thing: we hate losing it, that’s exactly what I’m looking for.”
Did you immediately feel the winning mentality at the Red Bulls?
Michael Raffl: “Yes, you have already seen that in the playoffs when I watched myself. I was also a lot in exchange with Thomas and other players. If you play ice hockey long enough, you just know how to win. If you watched Salzburg in the playoff, everyone had the same goal.”
You also see a lot of ice hockey in your free time. Have you followed the league since your departure?
Michael Raffl: “Yes, Thomas always, also Xandi in Villach. I never missed a derby in particular. In America it was even practical in America, because the games often ran at noon.”
How do you assess the development of the league?
Michael Raffl: “It is difficult to answer because I have followed the games more from the audience perspective. After a few of my own games, I will have a more detailed picture.”
How big is the anticipation of the duels with Villach – also with your cousin Alexander Rauchwald?
Michael Raffl: “The Xandi – it is almost like a third raffl, we grew up together. I have not yet thought too much about the duel with the VSV. It is very difficult to classify. I would still have to talk to Thomas as to how to get it right. Probably a game, like any other and not too many thoughts. I don’t want to lose anyway.”
You start the new season of the Champions Hockey League this week with home games against Tychy and Bremerhaven. You have already experienced the competition with Lausanne. How do you perceive him?
Michael Raffl: “You meet the best teams in Europe – instead of preparatory games there are games with real value. You travel together, play high -class games – this is not only sporty, but also for the team structure great. A really cool competition.”
How easy or difficult is it to play at top level so early in the season?
Michael Raffl: “I think a real game is usually enough to be at the rhythm again. In the end, all teams are the same, so nobody has an advantage. The start is crucial – you will be thrown into the cold water anyway.”
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Ice.Hockey, Image: EC Red Bull Salzburg
