Rafael Rotter: "I am very happy to play in Kitzbühel"

By now you have played three games in the Alps Hockey League. What are your first impressions in a league that is new to you?
"The Alps Hockey League is a really good league. Of course it can't be compared to the win2day ICE Hockey League, but every team has very good players and every team can be dangerous. I really enjoy playing in this league. I'm challenged every day and that's what you want as a professional."

How did the move to Kitzbühel come about? Did you have other offers, or was it quickly clear to you that you would move to Kitzbühel?
"My goal and plan was actually to stay with the spusu Vienna Capitals for the next one or two years. However, Vienna decided to go the younger way, which of course I accepted. Then I briefly considered joining another club in the ICE, but then I came to the decision that if I stay in the ICE, then only in Vienna. I was then in contact with Zell am See, and through Philipp Ulrich, who is one of my best colleagues, I also got in touch with Kitzbühel. I also had a good connection with Head Coach Marco Pewal in Kitzbühel, and the club also made a lot of effort to sign me, which is why I finally moved to Kitzbühel. I'm very happy that I'm playing in Kitzbühel now."

What is the life like in Kitzbühel? Have you already gotten used to "country life" or do you miss the big city?
"Kitzbühel is a different place, of course. Compared to Vienna, Kitzbühel is a village, but a village with a lot of opportunities and I feel very comfortable. I love to do sports and here with the mountains and lakes there is a lot possible. I often bike and climb different mountains. I'm also looking forward to winter, as you know, there is also a lot possible here."

At Kitzbühel, you are one of the most experienced players. How much do you see yourself as a leader?
"I think I'm a point of contact for a lot of players and I think all the players know that I'm always available to give advice. But we have some experienced players on the team and they are all very down to earth. It's very important to have a lot of leadership players to guide a team."

Do you also try to influence the young players by giving them advices?
"Not only on the young players. I think my thinking has always been that you can always keep learning, whether you're young or old. I also learn every day, even from the young players. Of course, I try to give advices in certain game situations and I think I can pass on a lot."

Your team started the season very well with seven points. What are your goals for the season?
"The fact that we've picked up seven points so far is very important, but that's also our goal and my requirement, not only to myself but to the the team, that we give everything in every game and try to win every game. Every point counts, because we only play twice against all teams in the Regular Season. Our goal is to finish in the Top-6, but it won't be an easy task, we are aware of that. The league is very balanced."

With one goal and four assists, you also had a good start personally. How satisfied are you with your start to the season?
"For me, the points are secondary. I think that a good player makes other players better. And a good player is not only measured by points. What's important is to be a player on the ice that you don't like to play against. If you then score a lot of points, that looks good, of course, but I'd rather be champion with a few points than be last in the standings and top scorer. If we play well as a team, the points will come anyway."

This week, you have two difficult opponents with the Rittner Buam SkyAlps and the current league leader Hockey Unterland Cavaliers. What is your objective for the two showdowns?
"Ritten is a very good team. We definitely have a lot of respect for them, but we will try to impose our game on them, which will definitely not be an easy task. The same is on Saturday against Unterland. They are currently still undefeated league leader. I think both games can be trend-setting by looking on the standings. Therefore, we have to fully concentrate and get as many points as possible."

Watch all games of the EC Die Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel live on valcome.tv.