Release from 21.07.2017

Slovenian trio signed for Medveščak, Austin Smith to Bolzano

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After doing his bit for Innsbruck's playoff return with 57 points in 58 games, Austin Smith transfers to HC Bolzano. In addition, Nik Simšič, Mark Čepon and Sašo Rajsar, who already played for the Bears in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, are the newest additions to Medvescak Zagreb.

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After four young Croatian players signed for Medvescak this week, three Slovenian players did the same thing and the most familiar face in Zagreb is surely Sašo Rajsar. 28-year-old forward form Jesenice already played for Medvescak between 2009 and 2012 when Rajsar made 113 appearences in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga. In the early days of his career, Rajsar played for his hometown club Jesenice before he made a brave move signing for Danish club Odense Bulldogs in 2007. After one season in Scandinavia Rajsar came back to Jesenice before he had his first spell with Medveščak. Rajsar played his last five seasons in Slovenia for Slavija Ljubljana and HDD Jesenice. 
 
The other two are defensman Mark Čepon and forward Nik Simšič who were born in 1997. They were both born in Ljubljana, played their first games for Olimpija Ljubljana, but they built their careers differently. Simšič left Olimpija when he was 15-years-old to play for Swedish club Sodertalje. He played around hundred games for their under 16 and under 18 teams when he got the chance to play in SuperElit, the best Swedish league for players under 20 years. Simšič played 133 games in SuperElit scoring 40 goals and assisting 51 times.
 
His under 20 national team colleague Mark Čepon played his first three junior years for Olimpija Ljubljana. After he won EBYSL in 2014 Čepon decided to sign for Red Bull Salzburg where he also played in EBYSL and for the second team. Last season Čepon played for Olimpija making 49 appearences in EBEL. He is a big prospect who was captain of U18 national team at the World Championship in 2015 where he was the best defensman of the tournament.
 
Austin Smith transfers within the league
HC Bolzano strengthened their offense with Amercian forward Austin Smith who scored 27 goals and 30 assists for Innsbruck in the last Erste Bank Eishockey Liga campaign. The winger gained some experience in East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and American Hockey League (AHL), before coming to Europe for the first time in 2013. There Smith also did well for Finnish side Ässät and DEL2 club Ravensburg Towerstars. "I can remember the arena and the great fans. I really like Erste Bank Eishockey Liga with all the journeys between Austria, Italy, Hungary and Czech Republic. It makes the championship exciting and competitive. We want to make it all the way to the playoffs and show our fans good hockey", says the new arrival.