Michael Raffl: "In Salzburg, everyone wants to win"

Injuries are part of the sport. How did you deal with them, especially with the bad luck of the past few years?
Michael Raffl: "That’s unfortunately part of it. From my early 20s to 30, I was actually spared, except for broken bones when the puck hit me. A more serious injury was a first for me. It sets you back, but a worker remains a worker."

How do you want to bring your experience into the Salzburg team?
Michael Raffl: "I just stay myself, and that’s the most valuable thing you can bring as a person. It’s great that there’s a strong Austrian core here and that everyone wants the same thing: to win. We hate losing, and that’s exactly what I’m looking for."

Did you immediately feel the winning mentality with the Red Bulls?
Michael Raffl: "Yes, you could already see that in the playoffs, when I was still just watching. I was also in close contact with Thomas and other players. If you’ve played hockey long enough, you just know how to win. Watching Salzburg in the playoffs, you could see that everyone had the same goal."

You also watch a lot of hockey in your free time. Did you follow the league after you left?
Michael Raffl: "Yes, I always followed Thomas, of course, and also Xandi in Villach. I never missed a derby in particular. In America, it actually worked out well time-wise, since the games often started at noon."

How would you assess the development of the league?
Michael Raffl: "That’s hard to answer, because I mostly watched the games from a spectator’s perspective. After a few games of my own, I’ll have a clearer picture."

How much are you looking forward to the games against Villach – and especially against your cousin Alexander Rauchenwald?
Michael Raffl: "Xandi – he’s almost like a third Raffl for me, we grew up together. I haven’t really thought too much yet about the matchup with VSV. It’s hard to assess. I’ll probably have to talk with Thomas about how to approach that properly. Most likely, I’ll treat it like any other game and not overthink it. I don’t want to lose anyway."

This week you start the new Champions Hockey League season at home against Tychy and Bremerhaven. You’ve already experienced the competition with Lausanne. How do you see it?
Michael Raffl: "You face the best teams in Europe – instead of preparation games, you immediately play matches with real value. You travel together, play high-level games – it’s not only great from a sporting perspective, but also for team chemistry. A really cool competition."

How easy or difficult is it to play at the top level so early in the season?
Michael Raffl: "I think usually one real game is enough to get back into rhythm. In the end, it’s the same for all teams, so no one has an advantage. The start is crucial – you get thrown into the cold water anyway."

PART 1: “Thomas always gives it his all”
PART 2: “My versatility was highly valued in the NHL”