Release from 26.07.2024

Defenceman Ian Scheid last addition to Linz roster

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The Steinbach Black Wings Linz have completed their roster with the signing of Ian Scheid. After two and a half seasons in the DEL and a stint with Slovan Bratislava, the defenceman is moving to Upper Austria.

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Following the surprising retirement of Matt MacKenzie, Head Coach Philipp Lukas and his coaching team have found a new arrival. The Upper Austrians have signed Ian Scheid, a skilled offensive defenceman who was last active in the German Ice Hockey League. Under former coach Tom Rowe, the 29-year-old finished the last season with the Nuremberg Ice Tigers. There, he impressed with four goals and eight assists in 27 games. The US-American started his third season in Europe with the traditional club from Slovan Bratislava, for whom he played in last year's friendly against Linz.

The new signing had also faced the Upper Austrians in a pre-season match a year earlier. Scheid was a member of the Straubing Tigers from 2021 to 2023. The defenceman wore the jersey of the Lower Bavarians a total of 90 times and played a major role in their two fourth-place finish in the regular season of the German championship with 34 points. Scheid was also involved in the success of Tom Pokel's team on the international stage, providing five assists in eight games against top clubs Färjestad, Frölunda and Co. on the way to winning their Champions Hockey League group. Ian Scheid is also expected to revitalise the power play of the Linz side. With the fourth new signing for the upcoming season, the Black Wings are completing their roster for 2024/25.

Head coach Philipp Lukas: "It wasn't an easy task for us after Matt MacKenzie had to end his career. We thought in a different direction and tried to improve the position in a different way. Ian Scheid is a very exciting signing for us. He's a player who has a certain amount of mobility and playmaking ability and can therefore help us a lot offensively."