Release from 21.08.2023

Olli Vanttaja strengthens the Pioneers' defense

Short text 249 CharactersPlain text

The BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg announced the signing of Finnish defenseman Olli Vanttaja. After the sudden career end of Steven Birnstill, they were forced to make another transfer. The 24-year-old was last active in the first Finnish league (Liiga).

Press release 1513 CharactersPlain text

Olli Vanttaja has already played almost 100 games in Finland's top league. An upper-body injury slowed the defender down last season. He has been back on the ice for a few weeks now and is working on his comeback. In the past, the left-shooter has been in Pioneers assistant coach Johannes Nygard's team for two years.

"We are excited to welcome Olli Vanttaja to our team. His experience and talent will undoubtedly help us achieve our athletic goals," said Head Coach Stanley. "We know he has already had a successful working relationship with Johannes Nygard and are confident he can fill the big void left by Steve Birnstill."

Pioneers continue preseason on Tuesday
In the preseason, the Vorarlberg-based Pioneers, who won 3:1 against the Ravensburg Towerstars to open the season, are already back in action on Tuesday at 19:30 against the GCK Lions from Switzerland. From the win2day ICE Hockey League, however, numerous other teams play test matches in the coming days. On Friday there will be a duel between the EC-KAC and the spusu Vienna Capitals. Also in the encounter Hydro Fehérvár AV19 against the EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV two teams from the ICE will face each other. This weekend there will also be the Red Bulls Salute in Zell am See. Champion EC Red Bull Salzburg will meet Helsinki IFK on Saturday (17:00). On Sunday, the final or match for the third place will be against Red Bull München or ZSC Lions.

>> To the whole preseason schedule