Release from 04.05.2026

Mike Stewart named new Capitals head coach

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Mike Stewart is the new head coach of the Vienna Capitals. During his playing career, the Austro-Canadian skated for VSV from 2001 to 2010 and represented Austria at two IIHF World Championships. The now 53-year-old began his coaching career in Villach before making a name for himself as a head coach in Germany. Over the course of 13 seasons, Stewart coached the Fischtown Pinguins, Augsburger Panther, Kölner Haie, and most recently the Grizzlys Wolfsburg.

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As a player, Stewart was drafted by the New York Rangers in 1990. The defenseman played in North America (AHL, IHL) and had a brief stint in Frankfurt. He spent the majority of his career with VSV, where he appeared in 482 games over nine years, won two championships, and eventually served as team captain. His jersey number has since been retired in Villach. Stewart has held Austrian citizenship since 2005 and represented the national team at several World Championships.

Following his retirement from playing with VSV in 2010, Stewart immediately transitioned into coaching, first as an assistant coach before taking over as head coach in 2011. After two seasons in Villach, he moved to Germany, where he enjoyed considerable success: with Bremerhaven, he won the DEL2 title in 2013/14 and was named Coach of the Year. He then spent four seasons with the Augsburger Panther, leading them to a third-place finish, a semifinal appearance, and their first-ever qualification for the Champions Hockey League in 2018/19. He later coached the Kölner Haie and, from the 2021/22 season, the Grizzlys Wolfsburg, reaching multiple semifinals and quarterfinals.

Mike Stewart: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of the Capitals organization. It’s a great honor to work here. Vienna is a fantastic hockey city with a rich tradition and an outstanding fan base. I had many conversations with Christian Dolezal and was also able to see for myself that the conditions for the team are excellent. We want to take the next step next season. I like the challenge. Vienna is Vienna, and the Caps are a big name, so the decision was an easy one for me.”

Two contract extensions in Ljubljana
Olimpija Ljubljana have extended the contracts of defenseman Jan Ćosić and goaltender Lukáš Horák.