Release from 01.04.2021

Villach announces goaltending duo + Lahoda extends in Linz

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The EC GRAND Immo VSV officially have their goaltending duo for the upcoming bet-at-home ICE Hockey League campaign as the club announced the signing of Italian national team goalie Andreas Bernard. In addition, the 21-year-old Villach native Alexander Schmidt signed a new two-year contract. Furthermore, the Steinbach Black Wings 1992 and Alexander Lahoda have agreed on a new two-year contract.

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"I am convinced that we have been able to sign two very strong goalkeepers for the coming season. With Andreas Bernard, we have succeeded in bringing a goalkeeper with a lot of international experience into the team. At the same time, with Ali Schmidt, who has shown this year that he also has the potential to be a starting goalkeeper, we have tied a highly talented goalkeeper from our own junior team to the club for two seasons," says EC GRAND Immo VSV sports director Gerald Rauchenwald.

At the age of 16, Andreas Bernard, now 30, made his debut for Neumarkt in Italy's second division in the 2006/07 season and moved to the first division club from Bolzano in 2008. After another season he went to Finland and from the 2010/2011 season onwards played a total of 232 first and 53 second league games for SaiPa and Ässät. Last season he returned home to South Tyrol for ten games. After an injury to the Foxes' regular goalie, Leland Irving, he impressed in the bet-at-home ICE Hockey League with strong performances and a top save percentage of almost 94 percent. Most recently, he was active in the Allsvenskan, the second Swedish league, with Väsby IK. Bernard also has plenty of international experience: He was voted his team's best player at the Division I World Championships in 2013 and 2015, and was also in Italy's national team squad in 2016 and 2018. In addition, he represented his colours in the qualification for the Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang 2018.

The Villach goalkeeper duo will be completed by VSV youngster Ali Schmidt. The young goalkeeper, who played a major role in the playoff qualification for the blue shirts with his great performances, is extending his contract for another two years. The 21-year-old native of Villach, who made a total of 22 appearances last season, including five playoff games, is very happy to continue playing for his hometown club: "I am very, very happy to be on the ice for VSV for the next two seasons. I thank the club for their trust. My goal is to develop accordingly in the coming years, that's where my whole focus is now. I'm already looking forward to the new season - hopefully with the VSV fans in the arena again!



Lahoda stays in Linz

The Steinbach Black Wings 1992 and Alexander Lahoda have agreed on a new two-year contract. The 24-year-old forward recorded nine points for the Upper Austrians (3G|6A) in the 2020/21 bet-at-home ICE Hockey League season.