Release from 23.11.2023

Tomi Wilenius: "The secret for our good offense is the defense“

Short text 417 CharactersPlain text

Tomi Wilenius of the EK Die Zeller Eisbären is currently the topscorer of the Alps Hockey League with 35 points. In the interview, the 30-year-old forward of the league leader talks about his current outstanding form, his big goal of becoming champion, why Zell am See is stronger than last season and why the derby against the Red Bull Hockey Juniors on Saturday will be the most difficult game of the season so far.

Press release 4269 CharactersPlain text

17 games are played and the EK Die Zeller Eisbären is top of the table with 41 out of 51 possible points. Did you personally and as a team have exactly the start to the season that you wanted?
„Its a great season for Zell am See so far. We only lost one game after regulation. So we can´t complain. Personally I feel good on the ice. I enjoy playing hockey and I am lucky to play with some great players in the line.“

How important is personal successes to you? You're the league top goalscorer with 16 goals and also topscorer with a total of 35 points. Are you aiming to become the league´s topscorer in the end, or is team success much more important to you?
„Personal success is not the most important. Its a team sport. If my personal success helps the team to win its obviously great. I don´t aim to become topscorer of the league at the end. I am aiming for us as a team to be at the top in the end.“

With 75 goals, your team has scored the most goals in the league so far. What is your secret for success in the offense?
„I´d say the secret for our good offense is the defensive. We have some great defenders and we don´t spend that much time in the defensive zone. That means we spend more time in the offenive zone and also our game plan creates us a lot of chances that helps us to score goals.“

How comfortable do you feel in Zell am See? It's now your 3rd season here. Can you imagine staying here for a few more seasons?
„I just love it here. I love to play hockey here in front of our fans and I love to live here. My family likes it too. This is one of the nicest places to live and play hockey. We will see what the future brings. But for now I am happy to be here and hopefully for a long time.“

What makes you as a player and Zell am See as team even more of a threat for the other teams than last season?
„As I already mentioned. The organisation made a great job this summer to sign some great defenders. Obviously the offense is also a little bit better this season. But the main reason I think is the defense and that our head coach Mike Flanagan is here from the beginning. So we had a little bit more time to go through the structure and the game plan. I think this is also a point why we are a harder opponent than last year.“

Based on your current form, Zell am See is the top favorite for the title for many. Is winning the championship your big goal?
„In every game we wanna win and the biggest thing you can win is the championship. We are lucky in Zell am See that we have the chance to play for the title this year. Its a long and hard way but I think we are all up for the big challenge and aiming for that big goal.“

How much fun is it to play at home in front of the great crowd? Does that give you extra motivation? On average, 1500 spectators watch your games.
„Zell am See is the best place to play hockey in the whole Alps Hockey League. We have the greatest fans and the biggest average of spectators by far. Obviously when you go on the ice and you see that the stands are full its an extra boost for all of us. I think also for the opponents that come to play in Zell am See. Its just awesome that we have such great fans.“

On Thursday, you need the home crowd again. With Cortina, last season´s runner-up is visiting. What do you expect from this game?
„We need the home crowd support against Cortina. They are a really good hockey team. Its always a tough game against them and its gonna be a big battle against them on Thursday.“

Then there's the Salzburg derby against the Red Bull Hockey Juniors on Saturday. You narrowly won at home 4:3 after overtime. The Juniors are currently on the upswing with eight wins from the past ten games. What will be decisive to win against the young team?
„Last game against Salzburg we were actually a little bit lucky to get two points in overtime. They were the better team at some points. Especially at the beginning. We need to match to their skating and to their work ethic to be able to come back with points from Salzburg. I think the derby against the Juniors is gonna be the hardest game of the season so far.“

Watch all games of the EK Die Zeller Eisbären live on valcome.tv.