Austria’s men’s national ice hockey team will start preparing for the World Cup on Easter Monday, which will take place in the Czech Republic from May 10th to 26th. In the first of five planned team camps, team boss Roger Bader’s squad will meet Latvia, who won World Cup bronze last year, twice in Riga on April 4th and 5th (6 p.m. CEST). A total of 25 players, including four newcomers, want to compete in the second week of training.
Of course, some players who are still in action with their clubs are missing from the first week of training. The squad is led by Dominique Heinrich, who is scheduled to play his 100th international match in the second game against the hosts on April 5th. Also taking part is David Madlener, who has a good chance of being the number one goalie at the World Cup.
The youngsters Thomas Klassek, Patrick Söllinger, Ian Scherzer and Gregor Biber are taking part for the first time. The latter will play immediately afterwards at the U18 World Cup Division IA in Denmark.
