Release from 25.03.2023

Black Wings roster 23/24 already includes 14 players

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The 2022/23 season in the win2day ICE Hockey League is over for the Steinbach Black Wings. In the squad planning for the coming season, the Upper Austrians are already building on an extensive framework of 14 players.

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After the Upper Austrians had already extended the contracts of some important regulars during the past season, a comprehensive basic framework of 12 squad players for the 2023/24 season was already established early on. Building on this, the Linz squad agreed on further cooperation with two other key players even before the start of the playoffs.

Goalkeeper duo stays

Successful goalkeeper duo stays After the early contract extension of Rasmus Tirronen, the Steinbach Black Wings also rely on their second strong back-up in goal in the coming season. Thomas Höneckl enters a third year in the Linz and his 17th season in the win2day ICE Hockey League after his successful season.

Graham Knott stays in Linz

Center Graham Knott will also stay in Linz for another season. The 26-year-old Canadian scored 46 points (17 goals) in 56 games in his debut season in Europe. Thus, the newcomer advanced to the second-best scorer and second-best goal scorer of the Linz before the past season. Prior to his move to Austria, the forward, who was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015, played more than 200 games in the American Hockey League. Knott also won the prestigious Memorial Cup in 2017.

Linz's early extensions:

Gerd Kragl: The 25-year-old tore his cruciate and collateral ligaments in an unfortunate duel in early November and was forced to end his season after just 15 appearances. Before that the Linz native showed himself to be an absolute leader in Head Coach Philipp Lukas' team. Despite his injury, the defender was assured of a contract extension due to his exemplary attitude. After two surgeries and a hard rebuilding training in the weight room, the number 13 returns to the ice for the first time in these days. There the assistant captain will wear the jersey of the Steinbach Black Wings until at least 2025.

Brian Lebler: The captain of the Steinbach Black Wings was once again one of the absolute top performers in what was already his 11th season in Linz. He scored more than 20 goals in the win2day ICE Hockey League for the tenth year in a row. After winning his second championship in the course of his loan spell in Salzburg, the 34-year-old Linz native once again led the way and, with seven goals in the playoffs, proved what qualities he still possesses. The Austro-Canadian will continue to push up his club record of 345 full goals in 619 games next season.

Emilio Romig: The Viennese improved significantly in his second year at tLinz. Alongside Graham Knott and Shawn St-Amant, Romig really ran hot, especially in the playoffs. The winger contributed a total of 24 points (13 goals).

Brodi Stuart: Brodi Stuart was one of the Linz great discoveries. After a successful season last year with the Steinbach Steel Wings, head coach Philipp Lukas called the forward into the first squad.

Kilian Rappold: The 20-year-old youngster came from the Graz99ers before the past season and spent his first year in Linz primarily with the Steinbach Steel Wings Linz. In the Alps Hockey League, the Styrian-born player impressed with 25 points (9 goals) in 35 games. Head Coach Philipp Lukas rewarded him for his performance with his first appearances in the first team.

Shawn St-Amant: Shawn St-Amant, a reliable scorer, joined the Steinbach Black Wings last year. In his first year in Linz, the 26-year-old Canadian impressed with both hard work and eye-catching goals. With 18 goals and 23 assists, he finished third in the internal points list.

Andreas Kristler: In his 17th season in the win2day ICE Hockey League, the 32-year-old veteran was back in the irons after two injury-plagued seasons. In the process, the Carinthian celebrated the milestone of 700 games.

Dennis Sticha: The newcomer to the KAC also had to end his season early after initially hopeful appearances. After a persistent illness after the turn of the year, his health problems kept throwing him out of rhythm.

Niklas Bretschneider: In his third year at Linz, Bretschneider took another step forward in his development.

Stefan Gaffal: He made his breakthrough and the 26-year-old hometown hero can look back on his best season in the ICE Hockey League in 2022/23. With 35 points (13 goals), Stefan Gaffal neatly upped his tally ten years after making his debut in the top division.

Julian Pusnik: After a serious injury last year, the 23-year-old Carinthian worked his way back into the regular squad and provided important relief for the scoring lines.