Interview with Henrik Neubauer before the start of the IIHF Worlds

A large part of a varied and also successful ice hockey season is already behind you: you won the Austrian AHL title with Zell am See, but in the playoff you were defeated by Lustenau in the quarterfinals. How did the season with the EKZ go from your point of view?
"It was my second year in Zell am See, we have always developed further during this time. The title in the Austrian championship was great, in the AHL playoff more would have been possible.

You got a call from head coach Roger Bader after the end of the season in Zell am See. What was your first reaction?
"It was about three weeks after the end of the season. I was just in Sweden and didn't think about the national team at all. When the call came, I was nervous for a moment - it was a positive shock. I said to him immediately that I will come.

After five weeks of preparation, you made the final cut. Did you believe in this chance from day one?
"You always have to believe in it. The feeling was good right from the start, I really got a chance and improved steadily. When I played in Austria for the first time at the age of 20, it was a goal to play for the national team one day. It took time, but now I am in Tampere".

For many it came as a surprise that a player from the Alps Hockey League made it to the World Championship. Is it a proof for the quality of the league?
"Yes, I think it does. There are a lot of good players in the AHL. I had two or three difficult years in the win2day ICE Hockey League before that and wanted to take a bigger role with a team. That's when the AHL and Zell am See were the right step."

Before that you played in the youth of Färjestad and also for the U17 team of the "Tre Kronors". You even played six times in the SHL. How would you describe your career in Sweden?
"There are many youth programs in Sweden, you can become a very good hockey player here. I played five years with Färjestad and was happy with my development. I learned a lot in Sweden's youth national team and it was also great for a young player to get a chance in the SHL. Now to play on the big World Championship stage a few years later is very exciting for me."

You played in a line with Haudum/Ganahl during the preparation. How can the experienced players on the team help you?
"We quickly found good chemistry in our line and talk to each other a lot. Of course I'm a bit nervous, but that's part of it. It certainly helps that I can always talk to the more experienced players in the team."

The first game against France awaits you on Saturday. What do you expect from the opener?
"I expect a good performance, we have always been able to improve in the last couple of weeks. The game against France is already very important, we have to be 100 percent ready."