Release from 17.03.2021

Jens Gustafsson remains head coach in Graz

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The Moser Medical Graz99ers have extended the contract with head coach Jens Gustafsson by one season until the end of the bet-at-home ICE Hockey League campaign 2021/22. The 47-year-old Swede had been in charge of the Styrians on an interim basis since December 27th.

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At that time, Jens Gustafsson took over from long-term coach Doug Mason. The Swede had been assisting Mason since the 2018/19 season. He picked up nine wins in 25 games this season. He now gets the chance to put together his own squad for the first time in Graz.

"I'm very happy that I was able to extend my contract. I think there are great opportunities here in Graz with the infrastructure we have now to build something for the long term. I had really good talks with Jochen (G99 president Jochen Pildner-Steinburg) and Bernd (G99 general manager Bernd Vollmann) about which way we should go in the future to build Graz into a top-6 team. We want to develop young players, bring in new players and, above all, build a good group of Austrian players. I'm already looking forward to the new season and I'm really happy to stay in Graz and work with the players, the management and all the people around. Of course I hope we can play in front of our fans again next season. Now we want to build a good team for 2021/2022," said head coach Jens Gustafsson.

"We set out on a path five years ago that we will continue to follow despite sporting setbacks in the 17/18 season and in the 20/21 Corona season. Three playoff appearances and a semifinal in the last five seasons is something we want to continue to build on. That plan included Jens Gustafsson as head coach starting in the 21/22 season and we will stay true to our plan! He is an absolute professional and will get the chance to put together his own team for the 21/22 season," said General Manager Bernd Vollmann.