Release from 16.04.2025

Steven Strong signs with VSV | Hults brothers join Vienna Capitals | Defender for Innsbruck

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After ten seasons with EC-KAC, Steven Strong is turning the page and heading home: The Villach native will suit up for EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV, having played 578 official games for Klagenfurt. Meanwhile, the spusu Vienna Capitals have secured the services of Mitch and Cole Hults – a brother duo already familiar with the win2day ICE Hockey League. The HC TIWAG Innsbruck, meanwhile, signed the offensively strong defenseman Patrick Kudla.

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Defenseman Steven Strong returns to his hometown after a decade with EC-KAC and will skate for EC VSV next season. The 32-year-old, son of VSV legend Ken Strong, has long been one of the league’s most consistent blueliners and is a regular for the Austrian national team. His resume includes over 100 international appearances and 578 competitive games for KAC.

Hults brothers head to Vienna
The Vienna Capitals have also made a high-profile addition to their roster: Mitch and Cole Hults are both joining the team from the Slovak Extraliga side HKM Zvolen. The brothers from Wisconsin bring a wealth of experience from both North America and Europe.

Forward Mitch Hults, who previously played for Bratislava and Bolzano, returns to the league after a year in the Czech Republic – where he had previously posted 114 points in 118 ICEHL games. Defenseman Cole Hults spent the last two seasons with HCB Südtirol Alperia, ranking among the league’s most productive offensive defensemen. Both Americans showcased their offensive upside again in Slovakia and now begin a new chapter together in Vienna – boosting both ends of the ice for the Capitals.

Offensively Strong Defenseman for Innsbruck
The HC TIWAG Innsbruck Sharks have bolstered their blue line with the signing of offensive defenseman Patrick Kudla. The 29-year-old Canadian joins from the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads, where he earned Defenseman of the Year honors and a spot on the All-ECHL First Team after racking up an impressive 60 points (10 goals, 50 assists) in 60 regular season games. Standing at 6'3", Kudla brings not only size and offensive upside, but also valuable experience from previous stints in top European leagues, including the Slovak and Czech Extraliga.