League president Pildner-Steinburg draws a conclusion of the season

On Friday, the season came to an end with EC Red Bull Salzburg defending its title. Salzburg crowned themselves champions once again in the seventh final game in Bolzano. How did you experience the season final?
Jochen Pildner-Steinburg: "The final series was the best advertisement for the win2day ICE Hockey League. There were fast-paced and always fair games, the spectator interest was enormous. Salzburg showed very strong performances in the decisive phase of the championship, but it could have ended differently. Because Bolzano also played very well, they had a lot of quality in the team.

The spectator numbers went up during the season for many clubs. In the playoffs, several arenas were sold out. How would you rate the attendance in the first season without COVID-19 restrictions?
Jochen Pildner-Steinburg: "The season started hesitantly, spectator interest was relatively modest. That caused us some concern. We didn't know if it was still the Corona after-effects or if it was due to the attractiveness of the sport overall. However, the numbers have improved significantly over the course of the season. The direction is right, but we should not be lulled into satisfaction."

Looking back, where do you see the greatest potential for improvement?
Jochen Pildner-Steinburg: "Some game dates at the beginning of the season were not fortunate, this had mainly to do with the unavailability of some of the arenas. Teams had played three games more than their competitors, while others had to play at home five times in a row. That shouldn't be the case anymore, otherwise it becomes confusing for the fans."

Match postponements like in the Corona days were a thing of the past. But the league and the clubs had to show flexibility, for example, when a technical defect in the cooling system shut down the STEFFL Arena. What was the response to that?
Jochen Pildner-Steinburg: "It can always happen that problems occur at short notice, as with the cooling system in the STEFFL Arena. It was a big challenge for everyone involved and it showed that the league sticks together. Solutions were sought immediately and they were found. There the league management has done an excellent job."

With HC TIWAG Innsbruck, an " underdog " led the standings for weeks. In addition, the race for the CHL spots, the direct playoff qualification or even the pre-playoff ranks was exciting for a long time. What is your analysis from a sporting point of view?
Jochen Pildner-Steinburg: "Innsbruck was the surprise of the season, their consistently good work over many years has paid off. In general, you can say that the performance density in the league has increased further. This is a good development, you will be able to count on many teams again next season."

The Pioneers Vorarlberg and Asiago played their debut season in the league. Have these teams already "arrived" in the league?
Jochen Pildner-Steinburg: "The first year is always a challenge. But the Pioneers have mastered it well, they were able to keep up and achieve some surprising results. Asiago presented itself strongly and even made it into the pre-playoffs. This has also ensured that the performance density has increased."

Some deserving players like Thomas Koch or Daniel Oberkofler ended their careers after the season. How important would it be to continue to tie such role models to the sport of ice hockey?
Jochen Pildner-Steinburg: "As ice hockey icons, they are role models for many children. I think that every club has an interest in keeping such players in ice hockey beyond their active careers - as long as it is compatible with their new commitments. I am sure that one or the other can also take over as a coach. Philipp Lukas is a very good example here, he has achieved great things with Linz."

Other players must now follow in the footsteps of these big names. The most important for this is that young players get their chance for ice time. How satisfied are you with the development within the league here?
Jochen Pildner-Steinburg: "Youth is the capital of the clubs. I would like to see the young local players get even more opportunities overall. We have reduced the number of imports with the new roster regulations, this step was worked out together with the Austrian Ice Hockey Federation. Due to injury-related absences, some teams have already brought in more younger players. In Klagenfurt, Vienna and Graz, where at times only four imports played, talented players have made their mark. They were able to lay the foundation for their future with good performances. The path with the academies must also be continued consistently."

The league is fortunate to have strong partners on its side. The first full season with title sponsor win2day was opened with a great event in Velden. How do you rate the cooperation?
Jochen Pildner-Steinburg: "I am particularly happy to have win2day as a partner at our side. A great commitment to Austrian ice hockey and the league in particular is evident in their activities. A great deal is being done at the participating league venues, and this is helping to make the league even more attractive. I hope that with the creativity of win2day we can continue to set positive impulses for the league".

Most recently, the contract extension with PULS 24 was also announced. What can fans expect in the moving image segment?
Jochen Pildner-Steinburg: "The extension with PULS 24 was of great importance to us. It was important to us to ensure the live presence of the league on free TV. And in doing so, we have also created continuity. Our fans can continue to watch the league in high quality on free TV. We are also striving to further improve the streaming offer for our fans. In some cases, we already have very high quality and are working hard to get all clubs on the same level."

In terms of infrastructure, a lot is happening within the league. The Heidi Horten Arena was adapted to the requirements of modern ice hockey in several conversion and new construction stages from 2017. HC Pustertal has a new arena, and construction is underway in Székesfehérvár - to name just a few examples. How do you evaluate this constant development at the league locations?
Jochen Pildner-Steinburg: "It is pleasing that things are happening at some clubs and that we already have very nice arenas in our league. We can only hope that this process will continue. A good infrastructure is a prerequisite for further development and attraction. Because not all arenas are up to the most modern standards yet. Training conditions for young talent must also be in place so that the academies can work well."

Next season will again be played with 13 teams. How big is the demand for a 14th participant?
Jochen Pildner-Steinburg: "We decided internally two years ago that ideally we would like to have an even number of participants with a maximum of 14 teams in the league. The current situation is certainly not a dream scenario, but the league also works with 13 teams. We have become selective in terms of quality when it comes to new entries, did not want another club at any price even in the current situation. Nevertheless, as a league you never have a certainty, we have seen that most recently with Bratislava."

The national teams are currently preparing for the upcoming World Championships. Three out of four league nations - with quite a few ICE players in the team - are playing in the top flight. Is that also a distinction for the league?
Jochen Pildner-Steinburg: "It is a proof of quality for our multinational league and shows that ice hockey is played on a very high level. Despite all the joy, we must not forget that Austria played at a top level last year due to the geopolitical circumstances. The team took advantage of this opportunity, showed high quality ice hockey. In the course of the cooperation agreement with the ÖEHV we try everything to give the national teams an ideal preparation.

The new season starts in mid-September. What organizational decisions are pending in the meantime?
Jochen Pildner-Steinburg: "Preparations for the new season are already being made in the background. It is a great concern of mine to align the league statutes in a more modern way. This is a necessary step that will be prepared by the General Assembly in June. In addition, a concept of measures to make the league more attractive has been in the works for several weeks. Some things have to be done to make the win2day ICE Hockey League fit for the future.

At this point, I would like to thank all officials, players as well as coaches for their excellent work and also our fans for their loyalty!"