The next transfer hit in the Carinthian ice hockey lower house is perfect: Johannes “Joe” Reichel, once the captain and identification figure of the EC-KAC, is making a surprising return to the ice at the age of 43. The five-time champion of the Red Jackets will play for HC Köttern in Division III Middle in the future – and is following an old friend.
802 games for the KAC – and now back in Carinthian hockey
In October 2015, after 802 competitive games and five championship titles for the EC-KAC, Reichel asked to terminate his contract and moved to Skalica in Slovakia. After a final professional chapter with Nove Zamky (SVK), he officially ended his career in 2016, but continued for two more seasons at EHC Althofen in the Carinthian lower house. Now, seven years after his last game, the former KAC captain is itching again – and he is signing with HC Köttern, as the “Kronen Zeitung” reports.
Team chemistry is good – ex-KAC colleague Geier is already there
An old KAC companion played a decisive role in this return: Stefan Geier, who had already joined Köttern before. “The fact that Stefan was there made the decision even easier for me,” explains Reichel, who was referred to Köttern through an acquaintance from his daughter’s kindergarten. The first training sessions also convinced him: “The team chemistry is good – and I have a lot in common with Stefan from our time together at the KAC.” Until two months ago, Reichel was still the youth leader at the EC-KAC and since the end of his time in the lower house in Althofen he has only been on the ice with children. But now he feels like competing again: “I’ve dedicated myself to the family, but now I want to know it again.”
First game this week
Reichel will make his unofficial comeback on Sunday in a test match against the Carinthian team. The first championship game will take place on December 19th in Arnoldstein, before the first home game awaits on December 23rd. And he is already curious about the home of HC Köttern: “I’m excited about the Fuchsgruabn – I’ve heard a lot about it,” laughs Reichel.
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