Monday, 19. October 2026 |
Red Bull Hockey Juniors | New Coaching Staff
The current coaching staff of the U20 Academy team is taking over from Teemu Levijoki and Ilkka Pakarinen, who are moving to the EC Red Bull Salzburg professional team.
Antti Aarnio has been coaching at the Red Bull Hockey Academy since the 2018–19 season and brings many years of experience in developing young players. The Finnish coach previously served as an assistant coach for the Red Bull Hockey Juniors alongside Teemu Levijoki during the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons. Most recently, he served as head coach of the U20 academy team, assisted by Benedikt Kohl. Before moving to Salzburg, Aarnio worked with the youth teams at Kärpät Oulu, including three seasons as head coach of the U18 team.
After retiring from his playing career, Benedikt Kohl joined the coaching staff at the Red Bull Ice Hockey Academy for the 2024–25 season. A native of Berchtesgaden, he played more than 800 games as a defenseman in the German Ice Hockey League and was most recently under contract with the Straubing Tigers through the 2023–24 season. He has been working alongside Antti Aarnio since the 2025–26 season and is now continuing this collaboration with the Juniors.
Antti Aarnio, Head Coach of the Red Bull Hockey Juniors
“I’m looking forward to this new challenge. I already know most of the players from our time together at the academy. It’s great to continue supporting them on their journey and to take the next step with them. My coaching style won’t change fundamentally. We want to build on what we’ve achieved together and work even more intensively on the details of our game. From my two seasons as an assistant coach, I’m familiar with the demands of the Alps Hockey League. In adult hockey, we need to adapt more closely to our opponents’ style of play while at the same time trusting in our own Red Bull philosophy of the game.”
New Lineup at the Academy
Manuel Latusa will take over the U20 Academy team alongside Assistant Coach Alexander Frandl, who previously served on the U16 coaching staff. For the U18 AKA, former Assistant Coach Tommi Rouvali will assume the role of Head Coach.
For the U16 AKA, Joschua Schmitz will support Head Coach Radek Krestan as assistant coach, succeeding Alexander Frandl. At the same time, Schmitz will continue to work alongside Head Coach Mike Sutter with the U15 AKA.
Juniors lose 0-1 in a thrilling Salzburg derby// JUNIORS
Juniors lose 0-3 to league-leading Ritten// JUNIORS
Juniors Come Away Empty-Handed Against Kitzbühel// JUNIORS