Austria Men's National Ice Hockey Team
Introduction
Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports in Austria, and the country’s men’s national ice hockey team is known for its dedicated and skilled players. The team competes in various international championships, including the Olympic Games and the IIHF World Championship. In this article, we will take a closer look at the history, achievements, and current roster of the Austria Men’s National Ice Hockey Team.
History
The Austria Men’s National Ice Hockey Team was first established in 1912, and they played their first international game against Germany the same year. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the team participated in several European championships, with their best performance being a silver medal in 1928. However, due to the outbreak of World War II, the team was unable to compete in international tournaments for several years.
After the war, the team resumed their participation in international competitions and achieved their first major success in 1962, when they won a bronze medal at the IIHF World Championship. In the following years, the team continued to perform well in various championships, including winning a silver medal at the 1976 Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria.
Despite some setbacks in the 1980s and 1990s, including failing to qualify for the Olympic Games, the team made a comeback in the early 2000s. They won the silver medal at the 2003 IIHF World Championship and qualified for the 2004 and 2014 Olympic Games.
Achievements
The Austria Men’s National Ice Hockey Team has achieved several notable accomplishments throughout its history. Some of their most significant achievements include:
- Winning a silver medal at the 1976 Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria
- Winning a bronze medal at the 1962 IIHF World Championship
- Winning a silver medal at the 2003 IIHF World Championship
- Winning the Euro Ice Hockey Challenge in 2011 and 2016
In addition to these achievements, the team has also qualified for the Olympic Games several times and has consistently been a competitive force in international ice hockey tournaments.
Current Roster
The current roster of the Austria Men’s National Ice Hockey Team consists of 25 players, including 3 goaltenders, 8 defensemen, and 14 forwards. Some of the notable players on the team include:
- Michael Raffl - Forward for the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL
- Thomas Vanek - Forward for the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL
- Bernhard Starkbaum - Goaltender for Graz 99ers of the Austrian League
- Fabio Hofer - Forward for EHC Lustenau of the Austrian League
The team is currently coached by Roger Bader, who has been with the team since 2019. Under his leadership, the team has continued to improve and has demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence on and off the ice.
Conclusion
The Austria Men’s National Ice Hockey Team is a talented and dedicated group of athletes who have achieved significant success throughout their history. With a roster of skilled players and a commitment to excellence, the team is poised for continued success in the years to come.