Release from 02.08.2021

Transfer news from Dornbirn, Salzburg and Pustertal

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While EC Red Bull Salzburg extended with forward Peter Hochkofler, HC Pustertal signed Johan Harju. The 35-year-old has NHL and KHL experience and won two World Championship bronze medals with Sweden. In addition, the Dornbirn Bulldogs announced the signing of Matthew Spencer for their defense.

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At just 23 years of age, Johan Harju was already playing a strong role at Lulea, scoring 31 goals and was rewarded with a call-up to the national team in 2009. In total, he has made almost 150 appearances with the Tre Kronor (junior, senior and two world championships). Via the 2007 draft (Tampa Bay) and the KHL (Dynamo Moscow), his path led him to the NHL in 2010. In the 2010/11 season, he played his only overseas season with 69 AHL (54 points) and 10 NHL appearances (1 goal, 2 assists). In the last ten years, Harju continued in Sweden with two exceptions: Jokerit Helsinki (KHL, 2014/15) and Pardubice (CZE, 2019/20). Back at Lulea, Harju was also the team's captain. Last season he recorded 32 points in 34 matches for MoDo in the Allsvenskan. The wealth of experience is rounded off by appearances in the Champions Hockey League and the Spengler Cup (with Jokerit). "A new league, a new arena, it will be an exciting season. I think we can definitely cause some surprises," said the newcomer, who will receive the number 10 in the back.



Peter Hochkofler stays in Salzburg
EC Red Bull Salzburg announced the contract extension with Peter Hochkofler, who has been playing in Salzburg for eleven years - including his time in the Red Bull Ice Hockey Academy, and has been part of the senior team since 2015. In the last six years, the 1.91-metre winger with defensive qualities scored 28 goals and 44 assists in 360 games. He won the league title with the Red Bulls in 2016 and has also played regularly for the Italian national team for four years and has already played in two World Cups (2019 and 2021).

Dornbirn signs defender Matthew Spencer
Matthew Spencer started the career in his native Oakville and won bronze with the Canadian team at the U18 World Championship in 2015. That same year, the defenceman was also selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round at 44th overall in the NHL Draft. Over the next two years, he gained experience in the Ontario Hockey League before transferring to Syracuse Crunch in the American Hockey League. Spencer subsequently bounced between the AHL (54 total appearances) and East Coast Hockey League (173 games). Last season, the 24-year-old recorded 22 points in 57 ECHL games for the Orlando Solar Bears.