Release from 11.04.2026

Transfer Update: Personnel Decisions in Innsbruck, Villach and Salzburg

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Over the past two weeks, several teams of the win2day ICE Hockey League announced roster moves and contract decisions for the upcoming season. HC TIWAG Innsbruck added two experienced league players, EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV introduced two new signings and a contract extension, while EC Red Bull Salzburg confirmed multiple extensions and parted ways with its head coach.

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HC TIWAG Innsbruck
HC TIWAG Innsbruck signed defenseman Joel Messner, who returns to Tyrol after four seasons. The 32-year-old Canadian most recently spent two years with Fehérvár, reaching the win2day ICE Hockey League semifinals last season. Messner previously played for Innsbruck in the 2021/22 campaign, recording 35 points in 49 games.

The Tyrolean club also added Kevin Macierzynski. The 33-year-old Vorarlberg native brings nearly 600 league appearances and 21 international caps for Austria. Macierzynski most recently served as captain of the Pioneers Vorarlberg.

EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV signed defenseman Scott Walford from Swedish HockeyAllsvenskan side Kalmar HC. The 27-year-old Canadian recorded 15 points in 51 games last season. Walford previously gained experience in North America, including stints in the AHL and ECHL.

EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV
Villach also strengthened its offense with the signing of forward Julian Metzler from Pioneers Vorarlberg. The 25-year-old winger agreed to a two-year contract. Metzler has appeared in 182 win2day ICE Hockey League games, recording 43 points.

Additionally, defenseman Thomas Vallant extended his contract for another season. The 30-year-old enters his third year with the club and brings more than 600 league appearances of experience, having established himself as a reliable presence on the VSV blue line.

EC Red Bull Salzburg
EC Red Bull Salzburg announced multiple roster decisions for the upcoming season. Goaltender Atte Tolvanen remains with the Red Bulls and will enter his sixth season in Salzburg. Defenseman Dennis Robertson also signed a contract extension, while Nash Nienhuis remains under contract.

Up front, Salzburg will continue to rely on Peter Schneider and Mario Huber. Forwards Thomas Raffl and Michael Raffl also extended their contracts, as did goaltender David Kickert.

Young players Lukas Hörl and Mathias Böhm will remain part of the Salzburg roster as they continue their development within the Red Bulls organization.

In addition to the roster decisions, EC Red Bull Salzburg also announced that head coach Manny Viveiros will not return behind the bench next season.

Transfer Overview

HC TIWAG Innsbruck
Joel Messner – from Fehérvár to HC TIWAG Innsbruck
Kevin Macierzynski – from Pioneers Vorarlberg to HC TIWAG Innsbruck

EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV
Scott Walford – from Kalmar HC (HockeyAllsvenskan) to EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV
Julian Metzler – from Pioneers Vorarlberg to EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV
Thomas Vallant – contract extension

EC Red Bull Salzburg
Extensions / players under contract:

Atte Tolvanen
Dennis Robertson
Nash Nienhuis
Peter Schneider
Mario Huber
Thomas Raffl
Michael Raffl
David Kickert
Lukas Hörl
Mathias Böhm

Departure:
Manny Viveiros – Head Coach, parted ways