The Augsburg Panthers parted ways with coach Peter Russell, 48, and immediately signed Kai Suikkanen, 63, as his successor. As the club from the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) announced on Friday, Suikkanen will lead the first team training session in Augsburg on Sunday. On Monday (7 p.m.) the Finn will celebrate his debut in the DEL in the home game against EHC Red Bull Munich. Suikkanen was the last coach of the Dornbirn Bulldogs in Austria for almost three years, before that he led HC Bozen to the championship in 2018. “With Kai Suikkanen we have decided on an experienced head coach,” explained Panther partner Lothar Sigl. “With his clear speech and straightforward manner, he should put our team on the road to success.” The Augsburgers were able to increase their point average after the Germany Cup break in November, but after just one win from six games, those responsible for the penultimate table saw “urgent need for action”. Separation is difficult on a human level. Russell had only taken over the Augsburg this season. He had come from the second division of the Ravensburg Towerstars and had succeeded the Canadian Serge Pelletier.
