Max Zimmermann, born on September 12, 1999 in Vienna, spent the majority of his ice hockey career in the Vienna Capitals organization. After years of training with the Junior Capitals, the goalkeeper was temporarily promoted to the capital club’s professional squad for the 2017/18 season. On October 6, 2017, Zimmermann made his debut in the Caps team and promptly celebrated a victory over HC Znojmo with 36 saves and a catch rate of 92.31 percent. The next day, the Viennese stopped all 18 shots on goal and achieved his first shutout at the highest level against the Dornbirn Bulldogs. Zimmermann, who was 18 years and 25 days old at the time, is the youngest goaltender in league history to record a shutout. For the goalie, who was subsequently used mainly in the farm team at the time, the Vienna Capitals Silver, these were the last games so far for the Viennese professional team.
Turn your back on Capitals
For the 2021/22 season, Zimmermann left the Caps organization to join EK Die Zeller Eisbären in the Alps Hockey League. In the state of Salzburg, the Viennese became probably the best goalkeeper in the league over four seasons. With the left catcher in goal, the Eisbären were crowned Austrian champions of the Alps Hockey League for the first time in 2023. On April 11, 2024, the Viennese celebrated his debut in the Austrian national team. In his last season in Zell am See, the 2024/25 season, Zimmermann recorded a catch rate of 93.5 percent in 30 regular season games, by far the highest value in the league. On the way to the first Alps title in the club’s history, the Viennese went one better with a save percentage of 94.5 percent in 13 playoff games. Zimmermann spent the past season abroad for the first time. The goalkeeper began the 2025/26 season in the French Ligue Magnus at Gap. In 17 league games, Zimmermann recorded a catch rate of 89.9 percent, but the Austrian was by far the best goalie at the bottom of the table. In December 2025, Zimmermann moved on to the Frederikshavn White Hawks in the Danish Metal League. In the dress of the last team in the basic round, the Viennese immediately caused a sensation. Due to injury, Zimmermann was only able to play six games for Frederikshavn, but in these he only conceded ten goals and recorded a catch rate of 93.5 percent. At the end of December, Zimmermann was named to the Metal Ligaen’s Team of the Week for his achievements.
Statement by Max Zimmermann
“It’s incredibly nice to be at home and to be able to play for the organization where I practically went through the entire youth ranks. I’ve gained a lot of match practice in the last few years and learned what it means to win. The experiences I had in France and Denmark were great and helped me develop both as a person and as an athlete. Sebi (Wraneschitz, note) and I have known each other for a very long time, we have always gotten along well. We will push each other in the coming season. I recently “I’ve thought a few times about what it will be like to play for the Capitals again in the STEFFL Arena. I’m really looking forward to that and the new season.”
Statement Christian Dolezal, sporting director of the Vienna Capitals
“I know Max from my time as a youth leader and coach of the U20. When we won the EBYSL in 2017, he played a big part in it with his achievements. He has always had good skills and a lot of potential. Max has developed extremely well in the last few years in Zell am See and abroad. It was definitely good for him to gain experience as a ‘one-goalie’. We have maintained contact in the last few years, which is why I am personally pleased that he Despite other interested parties, Max and Sebi will form a strong goalkeeper duo. They were both born in Vienna, they were both trained by the Capitals in this respect.
