Monday, 03. August 2026 |
EC Red Bull Salzburg | First Team Practice
Under the guidance of new head coach Alan Letang, the Red Bulls completed an intensive training program right from the start.
The first group practice on the ice lasted just under two hours, interrupted only by a brief break for ice resurfacing. Alan Letang, who took over as head coach this summer, was able to get a first impression of his team during the group practice.
Letang is supported by Jason Morgan, who has recently joined the coaching staff as an assistant coach. The staff is rounded out by assistant coach Adam Maglio, player development coach Daniel Petersson, and goalie coach Markus Kerschbaumer.
A Successful Start for Head Coach Alan Letang
Last week, Letang used the first few days together to get to know the players and build relationships within the team. With the first team practice, the group’s work on the ice has now officially begun.
Head Coach Alan Letang:
“It was a really good start. I really liked the pace, the enthusiasm, and the energy. The players worked hard and communicated a lot with each other. This week is all about getting back into a rhythm together and establishing some initial habits. We laid a good foundation for that today.”
In addition to the on-ice work, the new head coach will also focus on developing a shared identity in the coming weeks.
“We have clear expectations, but we want to work out our goals together with the players and the leadership group. When the players themselves embrace and drive these goals, they can be lived out much more strongly within the team. You can already feel good energy in the group and that everyone is ready to walk this path together.”
New Faces on the Team
The Red Bulls’ new signings—Jayden Lee, Oliver Galipeau, Wyatt Kalynuk, and Adam Brooks—took to the ice alongside their new teammates. The first few days of practice now give the players the opportunity to get used to their new surroundings, the coaching staff, and the team’s routines.
Letang expressed satisfaction with the group’s progress so far: “The atmosphere is very good. The new players had plenty of time to settle in Salzburg and get to know their teammates. This process of coming together and developing a shared sense of camaraderie is very important. You could already clearly feel this positive energy on the ice today.”
Interview with Head Coach Alan Letang and Captain Thomas Raffl
Opportunity for Players from the Extended Roster
From the start of preseason training, several players from the extended roster will be closely integrated into the professional team’s training regimen. These include goaltender Luca Haitzmann, defensemen Fabian Baumann, Alexander Rebernig, and Jakob Schnabl, as well as forwards Maximilian Wurzer, Adrian Gesson, Florian Lanzinger, Luca Kogler, Nikita Bloch, and Nico Koschek.
At today’s first training session, Fabian Baumann, Maximilian Wurzer, and Florian Lanzinger were already on the ice alongside the pros. Luca Haitzmann, Alexander Rebernig, Adrian Gesson, and Luca Kogler were absent due to their current commitments at the Austrian Armed Forces Sports Center. Nikita Bloch is currently competing in the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton, Canada. Jakob Schnabl and Nico Koschek were also unavailable for the first session and will join the team later in the preseason.
Helmut Schlögl, Managing Director Pro:
“We’re intentionally keeping the roster a bit larger during preseason so that the young players can showcase themselves directly to the coaching staff in daily practice and earn opportunities for further roles. Some of them will not join the team until the coming days due to their commitments to military sports or the national teams. After that, we’ll see which players we’ll keep for the start of the season and who we can give the chance to prove themselves at the professional level. Our goal is to help the young players reach the next level and figure out who is the best fit for the team at this point in time.”
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Thomas Raffl: “Growing Together as a Team”
Captain Thomas Raffl was also happy to be back on the ice with the team after the long summer break and gave a positive initial assessment.
Captain Thomas Raffl:
“It’s great to be back on the ice with the guys after a long summer. Everyone has prepared well, and now we can finally see where we stand. The first practice was intense. We’ll need the next few practices to get our legs back in shape and find the right rhythm as a team.
The team chemistry already feels very good. The new players have great personalities and fit in well with the team. I’m sure we’ll grow even closer together in the coming weeks and be able to show that in our first preseason games.
As always, our main goal is to win. To do that, it all comes down to the many small details we have to work on every day. The fans can expect a lot of energy from us and a team that plays as a unit and sticks together.”
First Test in České Budějovice
The Red Bulls will play their first preseason game as early as August 12. In České Budějovice, Alan Letang’s team will face the historic Czech club HC Motor České Budějovice.
Three days later, the next international preseason game against Mountfield HK will take place in Hradec Králové. Both games will also serve as preparation for the Red Bulls Salute, which will be held on August 21 and 22 in Zell am See.
The Red Bulls’ schedule leading up to the league opener
Wed, Aug 12 | 5:30 p.m. | Exhibition game in České Budějovice vs. HC Motor České Budějovice
Sat, Aug 15 | 5:00 p.m. | Exhibition game in Hradec Králové vs. Mountfield HK
Fri–Sat, Aug 21–22 | Red Bulls Salute in Zell am See
Thu, Sep 3 | 7:15 p.m. | CHL | EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. Kölner Haie
Sat, Sep 5 | 7:15 p.m. | CHL | EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. Bílí Tygři Liberec
Fri, Sep 11 | 7:00 p.m. | CHL | Rögle Ängelholm vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg
Sun, Sep 13 | 3:00 PM | CHL | Växjö Lakers vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg
Fri, Sep 18 | 7:15 PM | EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. EC-KAC
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