EC Red Bull Salzburg goalie David Kickert currently has the best save percentage in the entire league at 94.41 percent. Behind them are two more Austrian goalkeepers, Sebastian Wraneschitz (VIC) and Florian Vorauer (KAC). For Kickert it is clear: “With more games comes more self-confidence.” In the interview, the 31-year-old four-time win2day ICE Hockey League champion also explains how he has improved mentally and why he can live well with the backup role.
David, you currently lead the league in both shutouts (5) and save percentage (94.41%). In your opinion, what are the main reasons why things are going so consistently well for you this season?
David Kickert: “I can’t give exact reasons. I don’t necessarily do much differently than last year, but I think with more games comes more self-confidence. And I can notice that. We play very structured defensively as a team.”
Rhythm is extremely important, especially as a goalie. How do you manage to be ready at this high level when you are needed, even with fewer missions?
David Kickert: “A lot of that comes with experience. Knowing what works and what doesn’t. A bit of trial and error is also part of it. There are different techniques and exercises that I do.”
Also mentally?
David Kickert: “Exactly, mentally. Concentration and focus exercises, even during the game. I think it just took me a while to find what worked for me.”
You have been in a backup role in Salzburg in recent years. How important would it be for you to become the permanent number one and also start from the start in the playoffs?
David Kickert: “That would of course be very nice. In the end, winning is always more important to me than anything else. If Atte Tolvanen ends up playing more again, I’ll accept that because team success is more important to me than individual success. But of course it’s nicer to be on the ice when you win.”
How much – or how much more – would a championship title mean to you if you were on the ice as a goalie in the championship-winning game?
David Kickert: “I’ve experienced this before with Vienna. It’s something indescribable when you’re standing on the ice and the game is over. It’s sweeter than coming in from the bench. But as I said: the main thing is that we win. As a team, you celebrate together anyway.”
After a rather subdued first half of the season, Salzburg is now the hottest team in the league, with 17 wins from the last 19 games and only four points behind leaders KAC. Do you still have room for improvement?
David Kickert: “I think the biggest challenge for us has always been to keep this level constant. That we can still play our game even against supposedly weaker opponents or in games in which you may be less motivated. This maturity, this professional approach. When I look at the last few years, it’s always a switch in the playoffs, where everyone plays a level higher. That’s something cool.”
A look at the league’s current save percentage statistics shows that the top three goalies are all Austrians. You lead the ranking with 94.4 percent, followed by Sebastian Wraneschitz (93%) and Florian Vorauer (92.7%). This hasn’t existed in this form for a long time. Are we currently experiencing a change?
David Kickert: “I don’t know exactly how many games everyone has played, but I assume that we play more now than before. I’m still convinced that that has a lot to do with it. They’re all good goalies, and of course I’m very happy for all of us. I hope it continues like this.”
David Kickert’s next possible appearance in goal for EC Red Bull Salzburg is this Friday at Olimpija Ljubljana. Watch live from 7:15 p.m. on Sporteurope.tv.
ice.hockey , Image: HCI / PAPA Productions
