Release from 07.05.2024

Salzburg presents first new signing | Asiago strengthens its offense

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The EC Red Bull Salzburg has presented Nash Nienhuis as the first new addition for the upcoming season. The 24-year-old Canadian-born defenseman has played the last four years in the NCAA at Michigan State University and is now moving to Europe for the first time. In addition, Carter Turnbull strengthens the offense of Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey. The 25-year-old Canadian played last season with HC 05 Banská Bystrica in the Tipos Extraliga (45 games - 59 points), before that he was active almost exclusively in North America. A contract extension was also announced on Tuesday. Seamus Donohue, who has been playing for the spusu Vienna Capitals since last December, has received a new one-year contract.

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There are several reasons why Nash Nienhui chose the Red Bulls for his first European stop after college. "But mainly it's the 'winning culture'. I know how hard it is to win. The fact that the Red Bulls have won back-to-back championships shows the character, work ethic and passion of everyone in the organization," explains Nienhuis.

Head Coach Oliver David: "Nash has developed along a path that I am very familiar with, and he comes to us from one of the outstanding programs in American college hockey right now. College hockey provides the NHL and all North American professional leagues with direct talent each spring. Fortunately, Nash was interested in starting his pro career with us in Salzburg. He is an excellent skater with good stickhandling, a captain and a leader on and off the ice. We are very much looking forward to welcoming Nash to the EC Red Bull Salzburg."

Nienhuis describes himself as a "good skating defenseman who has a passion for creating offense as well as defending. I see myself as a reliable teammate on the ice." And he is looking forward to starting a new chapter in Salzburg, even if he doesn't know anyone here yet. "In my first year in professional hockey, I want to take the next step in terms of speed, skills and body play. I think I'm ready for this and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Born in Canada, Nash Nienhuis grew up playing Canadian junior hockey. At the age of 18, the defenseman went to the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Muskegon Lumberjacks and Omaha Lancers before transferring to Michigan State University in 2020. He played there for four years, narrowly missing out on a place in the NCAA Final Four with his team as captain last season and also had his best season with 9 goals and 15 assists in 39 games.

New center for Asiago
Born in Nanaimo, a major city on Vancouver Island in Canada, the center was active in the BCHL (British Columbia Hockey League) between 2015 and 2018. In 2018, he joined the University of Connecticut, where he played four seasons in the NCAA and recorded 59 points in 122 games. At the end of his final year of college, Turnbull was signed by the South Carolina Stingrays in the ECHL, where he made his professional hockey debut. In the 2022-23 season, he remained with the Stingrays until mid-February, where he was one of the team's top scorers: 42 points (24G | 18A) in 41 games. The center then went to Europe, to HKM Zvolen (13 games - 2 points) and later to HC 05 Banská Bystrica (45 games - 59 points). Both clubs play in the Slovakian Tips Extraliga. Turnbull has now signed with Asiago in the win2day ICE Hockey League.

Carter Turnbull: "I'm very honored to come to Asiago because it has a great history in hockey. I think we already have a great team. I can't wait to get started because I know we're going to do great things this season! I'm looking forward to meeting all the fans and having a good start to the season."

Seamus Donohue stays with the Capitals
Seamus Donohue moved to Vienna from the ECHL last December and played 21 games for the Viennese team. The 27-year-old scored 14 points (3G | 11A) and was the only Caps player with a positive plus/minus record last season.

Seamus Donohue: "Despite the sports performance, I really enjoyed my time in Vienna last season. I don't think we played to our full potential, so I'm looking forward to the opportunity to do better this time around. Personally, we had a great group last year and those of us who are back this year are up to the task. I'm already looking forward to my return to Vienna."

Copyright: Michigan State University