Thursday, 22. May 2025 |
Red Bulls sign Michael RafflMichael Raffl: “I'm looking forward to playing in Salzburg next season.”// Team updateEC Red Bull Salzburg signs forward Michael Raffl.The former NHL professional is returning to Austria from HC Lausanne in the Swiss National League, making his first return to the win2day ICE Hockey League since a brief appearance in the 2020-21 season, when he played four games on loan with VSV.
The 36-year-old Villach native has played for HC Lausanne for the past three seasons and captained the team in the last two years. He scored 26 goals and 26 assists in a total of 84 games.
Michael Raffl played nine seasons in the NHL - almost eight of them with the Philadelphia Flyers before joining the Washington Capitals in 2021 and playing for the Dallas Stars the following season. In North America, he played 629 NHL games and collected 190 scoring points (96 goals | 94 assists).
Michael Raffl zu seinem Wechsel nach Salzburg
Michael Raffl, forward EC Red Bull Salzburg
“I'm looking forward to playing in Salzburg next season. Especially my brother - we've been talking for years about finally playing together again. Everything fits in Salzburg: the dressing room, the team structure, there are enough leading players who know what it takes to win. I don't want to push myself to the fore and fulfill the role I've been given. I want to use my experience to help the team continue its winning culture.”
Helmut Schlögl, Managing Director Pro
“With Michi, we are strengthened by a former NHL pro who not only impresses with his experience and physical presence, but also brings important leadership qualities. It is particularly nice that he is now back on the ice with his brother Thomas - this gives our team additional energy and cohesion. We are convinced that Michi is a real asset, both athletically and personally.”
Michael Raffl was born in Villach, where he also completed his training in the EC VSV youth program and made his debut in the Erste Bank Ice Hockey League at the age of 17. In the 2011/12 season, he moved to Sweden to join Leksands IF in the HockeyAllsvenskan, the country's second-highest league. He won the championship there in 2013 and was subsequently signed by the Philadelphia Flyers. He made his NHL debut on October 12, 2013 against the Detroit Red Wings and scored his first goal on December 9 against the Ottawa Senators.
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Michael Raffl at HC Lausanne
// Team update
Raffl was also an integral part of the Austrian national team internationally for many years. He took part in six world championships and was part of the squad for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where he played under head coach Manny Viveiros - the current head coach of EC Red Bull Salzburg.
The move to Salzburg also marks a special reunion on the ice: for the first time since the 2008/09 season, brothers Michael and Thomas Raffl are back together in a club team. After years together at EC VSV, their paths later only crossed in the national team - and now they are back in the win2day ICE Hockey League.
Michael and Thomas Raffl - together with the Divis, Lakos and Harand brothers - are among the most successful pairs of brothers that Austrian ice hockey has ever produced. Together they have played over 2,400 games at the highest level, including appearances in the NHL, the ICE Hockey League, the SHL, international club competitions and 215 international games for the Austrian national team.
Michael Raffl will wear the number 12 in Salzburg - a number with history, as he was only 17 years old when EC VSV won their last championship title in 2006 and became Austrian champion.
Photos: Lausanne Hockey Club
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