Release from 06.07.2023

Stéen stays with the Caps | Starkbaum is new Goalie Coach

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Stefan Stéen and Sebastian Wraneschitz will form the goaltending team of the spusu Vienna Capitals in the upcoming season. Bernhard Starkbaum will lead the goalie training within the Caps organization from the professional team down and will therefore no longer be on the ice as a player. Furthermore the HCB Südtirol Alperia signed Pascal Brunner, who already strengthened the Foxes in the past win2day ICE Hockey League season and Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey has extended the contract with center Martin Castlunger.

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Bernhard Starkbaum, 37, played 150 international games for Austria and 378 games in the ICE Hockey League during his career. The Viennese began his ice hockey career with the Vienna Eislöwen before moving to Villach in 2006. There, Starkbaum matured into one of the best goalies in the league. In 2012, the Viennese ventured to Sweden, where he was under contract for one season with MODO Hockey and then for three more seasons with Brynäs IF. The Austrian also succeeded in one of the best leagues in the world. In the 2012/13 season, Starkbaum recorded eight shutouts for MODO Hockey; no other goalie in the Swedish league was able to keep his box clean more often that season. Starkbaum played a total of 161 games in Sweden. In his 144 appearances in the first half of the season, the Viennese had a save percentage of 92.6 percent and a goals against average of 2.29.

With the 2016/17 season, Starkbaum moved to the EC Red Bull Salzburg for two seasons. Following that, the Viennese went to the EHC Kloten in Switzerland for nine games. In December 2018, Starkbaum moved back to his hometown to the spusu Vienna Capitals. For the Capitals, the now 37-year-old goalkeeper played a total of 141 competitive games (137 of them in the win2day ICE Hockey League). Only the US American Jean-Philippe Lamoureux (177 games) and the Canadian Matt Zaba (170 games) have been in the Caps goal more often. Starkbaum had a 90.9 perceent save percentage and a 2.39 goals-against average during his time with the spusu Vienna Capitals in the Regular Season, and a 91.3 percent save percentage and a 2.41 goals-against average in the playoffs.

"The four and a half years in Vienna were a great time. I had some great moments with the spusu Vienna Capitals and enjoyed playing at home again. Any coach who invests time in young goalkeepers is positive. We have too few Austrian goalkeepers, these must now be trained and pushed," says Bernhard Starkbaum.

Stéen remains goalkeeper with the Caps
Equipped with the experience of 134 SHL games, Stefan Stéen joined the spusu Vienna Capitals in July 2021, where the Swede was used as a mentor for the goalkeepers of the then Alps Hockey League team of the Viennese. In the 2021/22 season, the now 30-year-old also played two games in the win2day ICE Hockey League. For the playoffs, the Swede strengthened the German second-division club Heilbronner Falken. In the past season of the win2day ICE Hockey League, Stéen was on the ice in a total of 27 games. In the playoffs, the Swede was one of the best goalies in the league with a save percentage of 92.6 percent and a goals against average of 1.95.

"I love playing in Vienna, I love the organization and the fans. We were unfortunately eliminated in the semifinals last season, so we still have something to make up for. I want to build on my playoff performances and be even better in the upcoming Regular Season. I had a great time with 'Starki' and I'm glad he's staying with the coaching team. Now I will try to form a powerful duo with 'Sebi' and support him in his development," says Caps goalie Stefan Stéen.

Bolzano signs Pascal Brunner
His father Markus already played in Bolzano, won two championships - and grandfather Hansjörg has also been a key figure in Italian ice hockey. Pascal Brunner is now following in the footsteps of his ancestors, as the Merano-born forward played in Switzerland (Davos, Bern and Visp) between 2016 and 2022. At the beginning of the last season he returned to his parent club HC Meran/o. In 31 Alps Hockey League games he came up with 13 goals and twelve assists. After this strong season, he also made his debut in the Italian national team and also competed in the World Championship.

Asiago binds Castlunger
Martin Castlunger remains with Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey. The 29-year-old center played 31 games (5 points) for the Italians last season. Previously, the right-shooter was almost exclusively active with the SHC Fassa Falcons.