Valentin Ankirchner on his Goalie Goal: “I jumped for joy”

Valentin Ankirchner is currently in the middle of his first full season with the Red Bull Hockey Juniors. In his debut season, the 19-year-old has already achieved something that most goalkeepers are denied for their entire career: a goalie goal: “So of course it felt great to know that you've scored a goal yourself as a goalkeeper. I think that's one of the many things you want to achieve as a goalkeeper in your career. After everyone turned around and cheered, I realized that the puck had really gone that far and was now in the goal. I jumped for joy and then cheered with the team.”
Atte Tolvanen has already scored two goals for EC Red Bull Salzburg in the win2day ICE Hockey League and now Valentin Ankirchner has also achieved this in the Alps Hockey League. When asked whether there is special training for goalkeepers in Salzburg to score empty-net goals, the 19-year-old replies with a grin: “No, that doesn't really exist (yet). In our game, it involves playing very actively to make the game easier for the team. That creates situations like this and I took advantage of them.”

In addition to this special goal, his first shutout in the league is also one of the highlights of the season for the German. He made no mistakes in the 2:0 derby win against Zell am See and put in an outstanding performance with 26 saves: “A shutout is always great as a goalie, of course, because you know that you've not only given your best, but that the players in front of you have as well. And then in the derby against Zell makes it even better, because they're a good team that we often struggle against.”

After several years in the Red Bull Academy, Valentin is playing his first full season in the Alps Hockey League. This step is hugely important for his personal development: “It's very important as a young goalkeeper to gain match practice in the professional men's game and experience the game, as it's clearly even more intense, faster and tougher than the junior leagues.” The difference to the youth leagues is particularly noticeable for him: “One big thing is that you're playing against men and no longer against youngsters. They usually think differently and see the game in a completely different way. It's important to get into the men's leagues as early as possible and feel more comfortable game after game.” The fact that he is getting so much playing time in his first Alps Hockey League season is a great incentive for Ankirchner: “I'm obviously happy that I'm already getting so much playing time in my first year in the Alps Hockey League and that I'm able to get playing time at a good level.”

Despite personal successes, the season is not quite going as hoped for the team. The Juniors are currently in eleventh place in the table with 35 points. Nevertheless, the Rosenheim native remains ambitious with his team: “Of course we want to make the playoffs again this year and get as far as possible. With such a young team, it can't be ruled out that things don't go as expected, but we always try to make the best of it and take positive things for our game.”

At just 19 years old, Valentin Ankirchner is at the beginning of his professional career, but his goals are clearly defined: “I want to use the rest of my time here in the academy and in the AHL to develop even more, both as a goaltender and as a person. First of all, I hope that I don't have to deal with any major injuries and that I can finish this season with the team as far as possible. Over the next few years, I'd like to get as many professional games as possible so that I'm prepared for the rest of my career and then maybe a few doors will open up. But one wish would of course be to play in the DEL - who knows where the journey will take me.”

Valentin Ankirchner is back in action with the Red Bull Hockey Juniors today, Thursday. At 20:00 they will face sixth-placed Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan away from home. Watch the game live on www.valcome.tv.

Highlights KHL Sisak - Red Bull Hockey Juniors