Release from 09.02.2026

Filip Simovic named Young Star of the Month January

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Filip Simovic of EC-KAC has won the Young Star of the Month January award, which was conducted among fans and TV experts. The 18-year-old is thus the fifth player to qualify for the season vote. The young defender collected 14 points, finishing ahead of Alan Lobis of HC Falkensteiner Pustertal, while Paul Reiner of Moser Medical Graz99ers came in third.

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Filip Simovic was the youngest player nominated for the Young Star of the Month award in January. The defenseman is currently playing his first season with the EC-KAC professional roster. On January 3, the Canadian celebrated his first career goal in a 4–1 road victory in Innsbruck. He also found the back of the net in the 3–2 overtime home win against Fehérvár, giving his team a temporary 2–0 lead. So far this season, the 1.78-meter-tall defenseman has made 29 appearances for the KAC senior team.

In December 2024, Simovic moved to Klagenfurt from the Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the Canadian QMJHL. Prior to that, he spent several years developing his game at the Red Bull Academy in Salzburg.

Final result of the vote for Young Star of the Month January:
1. Filip Simovic (KAC) 14 points
2. Alan Lobis (HCP) 12 points
2. Paul Reiner (G99) 10 points
4. Luca Erne (PIV) 4 points

Fan voting:
1. Filip Simovic (KAC) 4 points
2. Paul Reiner (G99) 3 points
3. Alan Lobis (HCP) 2 points
4. Luca Erne (PIV) 1 point

Voting ORF Sport experts:
1. Filip Simovic (KAC) 4 points
2. Paul Reiner (G99) 3 points
3. Alan Lobis (HCP) 2 points
4. Luca Erne (PIV) 1 point

Voting VB33 and DAZN Italia experts:
1. Alan Lobis (HCP) 4 points
2. Filip Simovic (KAC) 3 points
3. Paul Reiner (G99) 2 points
4. Luca Erne (PIV) 1 point

Voting Sport TV experts:
1. Alan Lobis (HCP) 4 points
2. Filip Simovic (KAC) 3 points
3. Paul Reiner (G99) 2 points
4. Luca Erne (PIV) 1 point

Voting Procedure
A total of six monthly winners will be determined over the course of the season. Each month, four players are nominated and put to a public vote. The six monthly winners will then compete at the start of the Playoffs for the overall title of Young Star of the Season 2025/26.

The final results are based on two components: the fan voting on the league’s website and the votes from TV experts in Austria, Italy and Slovenia. In the event of a tie, the ranking will be decided by the results of the fan vote.

Monthly winner Young Star election 2025/26:
Paul Sintschnig (VSV) | September
Tommy Purdeller (HCP) | October
David Waschnig (KAC) | November
Johannes Dobrovolny (KAC) | December
Filip Simovic (KAC) | January