Release from 20.11.2024

How VSV got back on track - an interview with Head Coach Tray Tuomie

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After a difficult start to the season, EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV has stabilized and worked its way up to tenth place in the table with four wins from its last five games. The gap to sixth-placed local rivals EC-KAC is only seven points - with two fewer games played. For Head Coach Tray Tuomie, having a full squad available for the first time is the main factor behind the recent improvement in performance. In an interview, the 56-year-old also looks back on the difficult first phase of the season and ahead to the challenging weeks ahead.

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After a difficult start to the season, EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV has stabilized significantly and is one of the league's most in-form teams with four wins from its last five games. Head coach Tray Tuomie sees the reasons for this positive development primarily in the calm and patience that the team has maintained: “At the beginning, we never had all the players available. It's currently the first phase of the season where we're playing with a full squad. We've tried out a lot and our rows are working right now. That's what makes our performances so good.”

When asked about the challenges in difficult phases, the 56-year-old emphasized the importance of communication and trust: “It's a learning process, we have a lot of players. You have to talk to the players a lot, discuss things and have a good relationship with them in difficult times.” Despite the worst start to a season in the club's history, Tuomie was not rattled and paid no attention to the pressure: “I didn't think about my future at all. I've seen coaches fired after three wins. I wasn't even aware that it was the worst start to a season in history. What interests me is our team in the here and now.”

According to the US native, who has lived in Germany for many years, every game requires maximum concentration in view of the balanced league: “You can beat any team, but you can also be beaten by any team. You have to be ready for every game. I think it's cool for the league because every game is exciting.” This is particularly important in the upcoming intensive phase with three games a week: “We have to reduce training a little and incorporate more video study, regeneration is particularly important, maybe take a day or two off. Also talk to the players about what they need. It's important to ensure that the players always have the energy they need.”

Looking ahead to the next game against league leaders Fehérvár, who have the best defense in the league, Tray Tuomie expects a challenging task: “Fehérvár only concedes 1.6 goals per game, so we have to score at least two goals and be good in defense. We lost 0:2 in Fehérvár recently. You can't win a game if you don't score goals.”

Watch the game between EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV and league leaders Hydro Fehérvár AV19 on Wednesday from 19:15 in the livestream on www.live.ice.hockey. Villach is also hosting the “Bring your Hero” night, presented by win2day. Season ticket holders can take a visitor - one of their heroes - into the arena for just €5.

The full interview with Tray Tuomie (in German language):