Thursday, 11. September 2025 |
Red Bulls' league opener in BolzanoLucas Thaler: "It's going to be a tough game right from the start"// win2day ICE Hockey LeagueEC Red Bull Salzburg begins the regular season of the 2025/26 win2day ICE Hockey League on Friday, September 12, with an away game against HCB Südtirol Alperia (7:45 p.m., live stream on Sporteurope.tv).As in recent years, in which the duel between the two teams has become an emotionally charged fixture, Salzburg are expecting a heated clash at the Sparkasse Arena right from the start of the league against last season's semifinal opponent.
Watch the match live on Sporteurope.tv – note: The early bird price for the new 12-Month Pass is only valid today! For €19.90 per month instead of €24.90. You can find out more here.
Interview Lucas Thaler
Starting Position
When people in Salzburg talk about the eternal ice hockey duel, the first thing that comes to mind is the duel between the Red Bulls and KAC. This sporting rivalry, which has existed since 2004, still retains its special appeal. Since 2013, HCB Südtirol has also competed in the ICE Hockey League and, in parallel with the duels with the Carinthian team, has developed into a top-class long-term rival for the Red Bulls. The playoff series of the last three years alone have been nothing short of tough and exciting, and in this light, the 13th season together with the South Tyroleans should once again offer some ice hockey highlights.
Bolzano with new head coach
The most interesting personnel change for the South Tyroleans is certainly the new head coach Kurt Kleinendorst. The 64-year-old American replaced Glen Hanlon, who steered the South Tyroleans for three years, this summer. Kleinendorst brings experience as an NHL assistant coach, head coach in the AHL, and head coach in the DEL in Ingolstadt, Nuremberg, and Iserlohn. Kleinendorst hasn't worked as a coach in the last two seasons. This means that Bolzano will also see a duel between two new head coaches, as Manny Viveiros also takes the reins at the Red Bulls.
One-third of the roster replaced
Ten players left the Italian club in the summer, including Mike Halmo and Braden Christoffer, who hung up their skates. Eight players have joined the club. New forward Shane Gersich has already made a strong debut in the CHL (2 wins, 2 losses) with 2 goals and 2 assists. The South Tyroleans can also continue to rely on reliable players like Dustin Gazley and Matt Bradley. And they have one of the league's best goalies between the sticks in Samuel Harvey. The 27-year-old Canadian posted a 92.5% save percentage in the league last season (behind league leader Atte Tolvanen's 93%).
Red Bulls aim to extend good performance from the CHL
The defending ICE Hockey League champions have already settled in well with their four new pros, Connor Corcoran, Devante Stephens, Michael Raffl, and Travis St. Denis, and have performed well with the team in the CHL (2 wins, 2 losses). In their defeats in Finland, the Salzburg team played on par with top teams Ilves and KalPa for long stretches and want to carry this momentum directly to Bolzano. They also want to compensate for the loss of seven players with some academy players, as was the case recently; Ali Wukovits, Peter Hochkofler, Mario Huber, Troy Bourke, Philipp Wimmer, Maximilian Wurzer, and Vadim Schreiner are still struggling with injuries.
Highlights Red Bulls vs. HCB Südtirol Alperia | 28.3.25
Statement from Lucas Thaler
"Now things are really getting started. We've already had good games in the Champions Hockey League and were able to learn a lot there. We have an interesting match against Bolzano right from the start. Bolzano has prepared well, and we're also in top shape. It will be a tough game, and I'm really looking forward to it."
Red Bulls vs. HCB All-time record
Since 2013: 90 games | 49 wins RBS | 41 wins HCB
Last ten games: W W W W N S S S N S
Last ten away games: N W N N N S S N S S
win2day ICE Hockey League
HCB Südtirol Alperia – EC Red Bull Salzburg
Fri, September 12, 2025 | Bolzano, 7:45 p.m.
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