Release from 17.02.2022

Restructuring in Linz: Phil Lukas in personal union

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After parting ways with general manager Gregor Baumgartner, the Steinbach Black Wings Linz announced a restructuring for the new season in a press conference on Wednesday. While President Peter Nader will take over the financial agendas, Phillipp Lukas will act in the coming season as sports director and head coach in personal union. In addition, the reunification of the Steinbach Black Wings Linz and the Steel Wings Linz was announced for the upcoming season.

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After the parting of general manager Gregor Baumgartner, the vacant position in the club was restructured and divided into sporting and economic. While the economic agendas are taken over for the time being by President Peter Nader, the Linz ice hockey veteran Philipp Lukas will act as sports director and head coach in the new season. Lukas, who currently works as head coach of the Steel Wings and had ended his playing career as captain of the Black Wings in 2018, will be supported by the current assistant coaches Mark Szücs and Jürgen Penker.

Peter Nader, President of Steinbach Black Wings Linz: "We are happy to enter the coming years with a young, Austrian head coach and sports director. Phil lives field hockey and is on fire for the club and the task. As sport director, he sets the line for the entire game operation of all teams."

Phil Lukas, designated head coach and sports director: "It is a huge honor for me to take the job as head coach and sports director of the Black Wings. I will give my best day by day and work hard to make sure that things are going in the right direction again for the Black Wings."

Merger of the Black Wings and Steel Wings

The Steinbach Black Wings Linz and the Steel Wings Linz are joining forces again with immediate effect. The former farm team, which is playing the current season as an independent club, will be reintegrated into the Steinbach Black Wings Linz organization. This affects both the team in the Alps Hockey League - which will continue to exist in the coming season - and all junior teams up to the U16 age group. The cooperation with the Upper Austrian Ice Hockey Academy, which looks after the children from U16 to U20, will also be intensified and further expanded.

Peter Nader, President of Steinbach Black Wings Linz: "This step has been indispensable for the future of ice hockey. Linz ice hockey must pull together to be sustainable and successful again. The merger of the two clubs is now a first step in this direction. Now it's time to roll up our sleeves and join forces to work for a successful future for ice hockey in the city."

Robert Lukas moves up to the board

After also the new generation of the Steel Wings, which are dissolved as a club itself, are again integrated into the organization of the Black Wings, club legend Robert Lukas takes over the position of the new generation leader and moves up into the club executive committee. In total, the Steinbach Black Wings Linz junior department now comprises 10 teams, in which around 150 kids train every day with 20 coaches and support staff.

Peter Nader, President of the Steinbach Black Wings Linz: "The junior staff is the soul and the future of our club. The Steel Wings Linz have done a really good job in this area. We now want to continue this successful path together. With Robert Lukas and his excellent coaching and support team, we have an excellent basis for a successful future."