After a thrilling final series against Ingolstadt, EHC Munich celebrated the German championship. The master coach is gone, but the new coach is no stranger to the Bulls: Toni Söderholm is expected to successfully defend their title.
April 23, 2023 was the final chapter of a success story. Coach Don Jackson wins his eighth DEL championship title, his fourth with Munich – and announces his departure shortly afterwards. But those responsible were prepared for this and immediately presented a new coach: Toni Söderholm.
Söderholm “absolutely preferred candidate” of the EHC
The 45-year-old Finn was taken under the wing of Don Jackson years ago after his active career, was on the Bulls’ coaching staff for some time, and later – before his engagement as national coach – head coach at cooperation partner Riessersee.
So it’s no wonder that sports boss Christian Winkler raves about Söderhom: “Toni was our absolute preferred candidate because he has our DNA in him. As a player, yes, but now also as a coach. I’m sure it’s a great fit “We are very well positioned for the next few years.”
Hardly any departures from the team
While there has been a small change in personnel in the coaching position, a lot of things in the squad have remained the same. Munich remains a star ensemble that is difficult to top in the league. Mathias Niederberger remains on the bench in goal, the goal guarantors Austin Ortega, Patrick Hager and Yasin Ehliz swirl in front, Konrad Abeltshauser and Jonathon Blum make sure nothing burns at the back.
The champions actually only had to cope with two departures that hurt: talented defender Maksymilian Szuber received an offer from the NHL. Defensive edge Zac Redmond ended his career completely unexpectedly.
Signed two strong defenders
There are good substitutes for both. On the one hand, the strong running defender Adam Almquist from Sweden and the Weilheimer Dominik Bittner – an uncompromising defender, someone who is what you call an aggressive leader. But he also has another side: “I would also describe myself as a rather calm person. But there is fire on the ice. My teammates appreciate that about me, the opponents hate it!”
Munich’s new character head is now wearing the jersey with the number 3 on the back. And he is not the only national player that the Munich team has caught. With Nico Krämmer and Markus Eisenschmid, two strikers come from Mannheim who have always been among the best in the league in recent years. Krämmer, the nephew of ice hockey legend Gerd Truntschka, is less a goalscorer than a preparer and driver, while Eisenschmid is also the man for the very important goals. In Mannheim he recently let it ring 18 times.
Söderholm: “Do our job when it counts”
Munich definitely has what it takes to defend its title, even if the competition hasn’t slept and Christian Winkler knows very well that the 122 main round points from last season were impressive, but many games were also closer than this fabulous value suggests. Perhaps the Adler Mannheim can even be considered a bit stronger than the Munich team after their expensive trip to the transfer market, where they brought in, among others, the two-time Stanley Cup winner Tom Kühnhackl and the incredibly experienced Linden Vey.
They are probably a bit more well-rehearsed and have a coach in Toni Söderholm who doesn’t have to get used to it. He also knows many of the Munich star ensemble well from his time as national coach. The Upper Bavarians are absolutely capable of defending their title – but it remains to be seen whether they will be able to finish the main round with an incredible 122 points. “The demands are high. It’s a long season. Certain things have to happen over the course of a season. You win games, you lose games. What’s important is how. We train hard and ultimately we perform at our best when it counts “says Söderholm. So when the title is awarded.
