Release from 03.07.2021

Matt Neal moves to Vienna

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The spusu Vienna Capitals have signed Matt Neal for the upcoming 2021/22 season in the bet-at-home ICE Hockey League. The 29-year-old Canadian played four seasons for EC-KAC and celebrated a championship title with the Carinthians. In the past season, the forward was under contract with the Heilbronner Falken in the DEL2.

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Matt Neal played for the EC-KAC from 2016 to 2020, interrupted by an engagement with the Kassel Huskies in the DEL. In 2019, he cheered on the championship title with the Carinthians - after a 4:2 final series against Vienna. In total, the forward recorded 120 points (46 goals and 74 assists) in 180 league games. In addition, the two-way forward also showed his qualities internationally. In both the 2017/18 and 2019/20 seasons, the Canadian was the highest-scoring KAC player in the Champions Hockey League. "The duels with the Caps were always among the toughest. They were usually eye-to-eye, fast, hard-fought and felt like playoffs. In addition, there was always a good and loud atmosphere in Vienna. My goal is to play for the title again this year. The team idea is at the top of my list. To be successful together as a team, that's what I think the job of a professional ice hockey player is all about," said the 29-year-old, who can play both centre and wing. Last season, Neal recorded 32 points (10G, 22A) in 44 DEL2 games for Heilbronn.