[AUT] Austrians abroad

Since zecke asked about the Kraxners I tried to compile a list of austrians playing abroad. If anybody has infos about other players not playing in austria, please pass it on, since this list is probably not complete.


North America
Thomas Pöck D Hartford Wolfpack/AHL
Thomas Vanek F Buffalo Sabres/NHL
Michael Grabner F Manitoba Moose/AHL
Mathias Lange G RPI/College
Andreas Nödl F St. Cloud State/College
Stefan Ulmer D Spokane Chiefs/WHL
Patrick Divjak F Sioux Falls/USHL
Christian Ban F Bloomington/IHL
Hugo Margoc F South Shore Kings/EJHL
Benedikt Schennach F New England Junior Huskies/EJHL
Taylor Holst F Cowichan Valley/BCHL
Martin Iberer G Quad City Express/CSHL
Kevin Moderer F Dallas Stars AAA
Christian Cames G Okanagan Hockey School
Anton Martirosian D Notre Dame Argos
Manuel Oberleitner D South Muskoka Shield
Thomas Meinhardt F Sisec Selects

Finland
Bernd Brückler G Espoo Blues/SM-Liiga
Mario Fischer F SaPKo/FIN2

Sweden
Reinhard Divis G Färjestad/SEL
Jürgen Penker G Rögle BK/SEL
Markus Wilfan F Grums IK/Junior
Konstantin Komarek F Lulea/Junior
Robert Lembacher D Lulea/Junior
Fabian Scholz D Västeras/Junior

Russia
Andre Lakos D Traktor Chelyabinsk/KHL/RSL

Czech Republic
Andre Niec F Ostrava/2nd Tier
Peter Schneider D Znojmo/Juniors

Slovakia

Switzerland
Oliver Setzinger F SC Langnau/NLA
Christian Schuster D GCK Lions/NLB
Yannick Bodemann F Langenthal/NLB
Nicolas Paul D Oberthurgau/Juniors
David Rassl F Thurgau/Juniors
Ralph Nachbaur F Davos/Juniors

Germany
Stefan Horneber G Kölner Haie/DEL
Christof Hehle F Ravensburg/2. Bundesliga
Michael Elmer G EHC Klostersee/Regionalliga
Florian Pedevilla F Braunlage/Regionalliga
Keven Gall F Bad Nauheim/Oberliga
Kevin Puschnik F Helibronner EC/DNL?
Tobias Wilhelm D Rosenheim/DNL

Denmmark

Latvia
Georg Privoznik D Ogre/Latvia

nice list. good work fan.at!

btw: because of living in kassel, i was able to watch trattnig play a lot last season. he's so damn great. i'm happy he will stay.

and i didn't even know that there are austrians in the DNL. good to know.

An article on www.hockeyfans.at tells about Trattnig attracting interest of the Maple Leafs, the Blue Jackets, the Wild and the Islanders.

The austrian pool in the NHL gets deeper :)

An article on www.hockeyfans.at tells about Trattnig attracting interest of the Maple Leafs, the Blue Jackets, the Wild and the Islanders.


never ever think about it, matthias. you are a husky, you have to stay here. i'd cry if he would leave kassel. he's so great.


The austrian pool in the NHL gets deeper :)

i'd rather say that an austrian pool finally excist. ;)

never ever think about it, matthias. you are a husky, you have to stay here. i'd cry if he would leave kassel. he's so great.

What would you do if you had to decide between the DEL and the NHL??? :)

i'd rather say that an austrian pool finally excist. ;)
No comment. :p:

What would you do if you had to decide between the DEL and the NHL??? :)


no question, i'd try to play NHL. but the lock-out is the problem for matthias so far. he should sign a one year contract and if he gets a job in the NHL he should stay and enjoy it, otherwise he should come back to kassel.
and be sure, i hope for him to succeed in the NHL. that's for sure. he is a nice guy (for an austrian :lol )

nice to see that our (the austrian) hockey is making some noise!

way to go guys ....

Michael Grabner was selected by the Spokane Chiefs in the CHL draft :handclap:

He is a forward who played last season for VSV (splitted between juniors and first league). He also played as 16 year old at the U18 WJCs.

Added Nödl. To Sioux Falls Stampede/USHL.

no question, i'd try to play NHL. but the lock-out is the problem for matthias so far. he should sign a one year contract and if he gets a job in the NHL he should stay and enjoy it, otherwise he should come back to kassel.
and be sure, i hope for him to succeed in the NHL. that's for sure. he is a nice guy (for an austrian :lol )
Rumors in Austria ("Kleine Zeitung") say, that Trattnig is in Columbus to sign a contract. Travelled with him is defenseman Andre Lakos...

Columbus scouts seem to have good eyes for austrian talent :)

Moved Trattnig from Kassel to Columbus :banana:

So maybe the Jackets become your SJ Sharks. ;)

Moved Trattnig from Kassel to Columbus :banana:

trattnig never told kassel that he's talking with columbus and they weren't informed before he signed that contract.
because he has a contract in kassel for next season, kassel wants money for releasing him.

looks like you can move him back for now. :)

trattnig never told kassel that he's talking with columbus and they weren't informed before he signed that contract.
because he has a contract in kassel for next season, kassel wants money for releasing him.

looks like you can move him back for now. :)
Interesting. Do you know how much kassel wants?

Isn't it the job of Trattnigs Manager to inform them?

Interesting. Do you know how much kassel wants?

no, nothing official yet. the huskies management was totally surprised about trattni's signing with the jackets.


Isn't it the job of Trattnigs Manager to inform them?

yes, it is. and he didn't do that. the huskies heard about trattnig's signing after it happened and then asked the agent of trattnig who confirmed it.

latest news is that the kassel huskies will probably sue columbus and trattnig for breaking a contract. trattnig should be in north america by the start of the season, but the jackets will have to pay some money for him.

Just incase you were interested, it looks like goalie Mathias Lange might have moved from the Billings Bulls of the NAHL to the New York Apple Core of the EJHL. I noticed that he is part of thier team participating in the Chowder Cup tournament and he is listed as playing with them in the fall.

http://www.proamhockey.com/ (click "Chowder Cup" on the left, then click "Rosters" near the top, then click "Apple Core Futures" in Div. 10 on the lower right)

Just incase you were interested, it looks like goalie Mathias Lange might have moved from the Billings Bulls of the NAHL to the New York Apple Core of the EJHL. I noticed that he is part of thier team participating in the Chowder Cup tournament and he is listed as playing with them in the fall.

http://www.proamhockey.com/ (click "Chowder Cup" on the left, then click "Rosters" near the top, then click "Apple Core Futures" in Div. 10 on the lower right)
Interesting. Is the EJHL a higher level than the NAHL? How good is it compared to the USHL?

It's a bit hard to say. The NAHL isn't the league it was two years ago after the loss of some of it's better teams and the subsequent merger with the AWHL (which was traditionally considered the lowest level of the four main US junior leagues). Lange was playing in a division of the NAHL which was made up of former AWHL teams and was surely the weakest division in the league (most of the games were played within the division so this has a significant effect on the level of play). I would imagine that the EJHL is probably a step up for him though (the Apple Core organization is one of the better teams in the league from what I understand). It's not at the level of the USHL though (which has really started to seperate itself from the other leagues IMO).

Interestingly, the Apple Core are the closest (really the only) junior hockey team to me. The idea of seeing them play has crossed my mind on occasion and while I can't be positive I'll actually get out there, if I do I'll try to keep an eye on Lange.

May I ask, what does an Austrian line-up look like if it were going to the World Cup of Hockey this August?

I did the same to the Ukrainian team and i'm looking for a worthy opponent to compare and contrast...

May I ask, what does an Austrian line-up look like if it were going to the World Cup of Hockey this August?

I did the same to the Ukrainian team and i'm looking for a worthy opponent to compare and contrast...
Hm, if everybody is available it would be like this:

Vanek - Kalt - Brandner
Welser - Setzinger - Trattnig
Szücs - Phillip Lukas - Peintner
Horsky - Raimund Divis - Martin Hohenberger (his nomination is debatable, I think he could be a useful addition)

Andre Lakos - Ullrich
Pöck - Unterluggauer
Robert Lukas - Phillipe Lakos

Reinhard Divis
Brückler

Christian Widauer (UK/Basingstoke) has returned to Austria (EK Zell am See/2nd tier league).

Included on the new U20 roster for Austria is a forward named Patrick Hegedüs who plays for Mannheimer ERC. Is this club related to Adler Mannheim?

Included on the new U20 roster for Austria is a forward named Patrick Hegedüs who plays for Mannheimer ERC. Is this club related to Adler Mannheim?
Yes, it`s like a farmteam. But i can`t say in which league they will play.....???

Yes, it`s like a farmteam. But i can`t say in which league they will play.....???
I think they will play in the Regionalliga.

Also, Dominik and Kevin Kraxner have signed contracts with the First Team of Rosenheim. Don't know if they are still eligible to play in the DNL...

Thomas Vanek signs a contract with Buffalo :banana:

To all insiders or Austrian hockey fans: From those playing in the US which player will have the greatest impact on his team?

Just thought I'd point out that the USHL's annual Buc Bowl Pre-Season Tournament has started. Nodl's team won their first game today 6-0. He had two shots on goal.

Link (http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=140661)

Just thought I'd point out that the USHL's annual Buc Bowl Pre-Season Tournament has started. Nodl's team won their first game today 6-0. He had two shots on goal.

Link (http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=140661)
I've noticed. Pinter also went scoreless while being -2 for Des Moines.

Anyone watched the games?

To all insiders or Austrian hockey fans: From those playing in the US which player will have the greatest impact on his team?
Do you mean just the USHL players Pinter and Nödl?

It's hard to compare those two, because Pinter is two years older than Nödl what means a lot at that age. Long term I'd definitly go with Nödl as he is a special talent. He will need some time to adjust though.

Overall I'd say this season Pinter will have the edge over Nödl. Long term, Nödl *should* have the more successfull career.

No, not only Nodl versus Pinter, I meant Austrian players in general. Personally, I'd go for Lakos and the CBJ or Vanek and the Sabres. It'll mainly depend on Vanek's attitude to work on his fitness to make an impact in the NHL right away and evolve into a solid, high-scoring first or second liner on the team.

Nodl over Pinter? Hard to judge but I'd doubt that from what I saw 'til now (U20 WJC and U18 WJC). The question is: What is Nodl willing to bring in to reach top-level? Is he a tough, hard working competitor or "just" a talent with a decent skill level?
I go for Pinter because of his complete offensive package and the fact that he has great leadership abilities.This season should bring some clarity. Nevertheless, I strongly believe that both kids will succeed in the US making big careers.

Right now, the safest pick is Vanek, I think.

I'm a big fan of Lakos, but he has already failed once in NA (the hell knows why). Divis should be a solid backup for Lalime in St. Louis, but I think he could be capable of more.

Sleeper pick here is Christoph Brandner. He has learned a lot last season and he has shown his commitment to the Wild. If he is able to crack the top six in Minnesota and be there the whole season, he could be the best austrian in the NHL.

My ranking is:
Vanek
Lakos (my personal pick :))
Divis
Brandner
Pöck
Trattnig

Like I said in an earlier post, I have not seen Pinter play, but I have seen Nödl a few times and he is something special. He played as sixteen year old in the U20 WJC and did not look out of place (actually, some said he and his teammate Raffael Rotter, also 16 at the time, looked better than Vanek...). I'm confident on the kid as he seems to be down to earth and very determined.

Robert Lukas has returned to Austria (rumor: Vienna Capitals) as he did not make the roster with Malmo.

I found an article with a bit on Nodl. Probably nothing new to most of you but I figured I'd post it here anyway...

Nodl is a native of Vienna, Austria. Nodl played on Weiner Eisloven-Verein in Austria last season. He posted 37 points in 25 games, including 15 goals. He did all of this while playing alongside players who were in their 30s and 40s.

Nodl ended up in Sioux Falls thanks to the recommendation of friend and former Stampede player, Thomas Vanek, who recently signed with the Buffalo Sabres.

"Our parents are friends and he told me that maybe I could play here with the Stampede so I came to the tryout and now I'm here," Nodl said. "I am very happy to be learning this style of the game here."

Nodl reflects the commitment all the Stampede players make to play in the USHL. He hopes to play college hockey in America and is looking forward to the training that he will get on the ice and in the classroom.

"It is difficult for me with school right now because I am learning more English and studying for class," Nodl said.

Link (http://www.argusleader.com/sports/Saturdayfeature.shtml)

Mathias Lange has commited to RPI. Here's what USHR.com had to say...

NY Apple Core (EJHL) goaltender Mathias Lange has committed to RPI. Lange, an import who played for the Austrian Junior National Team, is a 4/13/85 birthdate from Klagenfurt, Austria. Yale and Harvard were also interested in the goaltender. Lange, 5’11” and 180 lbs., has played 31 games so far this season and has a 2.56 gaa and a .914 save percentage.

Thomas Koch has signed a 2 year contract extension with Lulea.

Thomas Raffl, VSV's top youngster this season, seems to be heading to North America.

Christoph Brandner has signed a contract with Södertalje of the SEL for the 2005/2006 season (according to hockeyfans.at).

Rumors at the WC say that Chris Harand is about to sign a contract with a Czech team for the upcoming season and Daniel Welser might make a move to Sweden.

Daniel Welser has signed a contract with Skelleftea of the swedish second-tier league.

Thomas Innerwinkler has returned to Austria and will suit up for Red Bulls Salzburg Farm Team next season.

Michael Schiechl (Zeltweg) signed with Leksands. The 16 year old was the 8th best austrian scorer in the austrian 2nd-tier league last season. :clap:

Philip Pinter has returned to Austria and signed a 2-year-contract with Red Bulls Salzburg.

Salzburg also signed Mattias Trattnig earlier.

Andre Lakos has signed with Red Bulls Salzburg.

It is rumored that he and Trattnig have NHL clauses in their contracts...

Thomas Raffl has been selected by the Kelowna Rockets in the 2nd round of the CHL import draft.

Also Raffael Rotter was selected by Guelph Storm.

Kristof Reinthaler, a defenseman from Graz 99ers has joined Andreas Nödl at Sioux Falls Stampede.

Paul Ulrich, 86 born defenseman from VSV is attending a try out of the Waterloo Blackhawks of the USHL.

Florian Iberer, 82 born defenseman from Graz 99ers has signed a one year contract with the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL.

Oliver Setzinger has returned from Finland to play for his hometown team Vienna Capitals in the upcoming season.

Also Martin Ullrich has returned from Germany to play for Red Bulls Salzburg.

trying to find out about Bjurling.

http://www.eishockey.org/?siid=297&sip=&sif=&pagetype=&arid=3846

trying to find out about Bjurling.

http://www.eishockey.org/?siid=297&sip=&sif=&pagetype=&arid=3846
The article is about Salzburg beating Bozen despite not playing very good. In goal was Bernhard Bock instead of Bjurling who is out due to illness. The article does not say why exactly Bjurling is sidelined.

Matthias Iberer to Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the NAHL. In his first game he scored a hattrick.

http://www.bakersfieldcondors.com/iyc/publish/article_258.asp

Florian Iberer has joined the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL.

Bernd Brückler has signed a contract with the Charlotte Checkers of the ECHL.

Andreas Nödl had a hat trick and an assist for four total points in the Stampede's first regular season game this weekend.

Andreas Nödl had a hat trick and an assist for four total points in the Stampede's first regular season game this weekend.
yup, and that makes him USHL offensive player of the week. :bow:

In less fortunate news for Austrians in the USHL, it looks like Sioux Falls has waived d-man Kristoff Reinhaler.

In less fortunate news for Austrians in the USHL, it looks like Sioux Falls has waived d-man Kristoff Reinhaler.
I noticed. What does that mean for him? Can he play for another USHL team? Or does he have to go to the NAHL or back home?

Austrian U18 Team defenseman Hugo Margoc has joined Team Illinois of the MWEHL.

I noticed. What does that mean for him? Can he play for another USHL team? Or does he have to go to the NAHL or back home?

He can play for another USHL team if one decides to pick him up. He could also go to the NAHL or the EJHL or any other junior league in the US if a team wants him. It happend to a few Europeans who came to play in the USHL last year as well, including Austrian Phil Pinter who went to the EJHL.

Nödl has committed to St. Cloud State of the NCAA for the '06 season.

Bernd Brückler has signed a PTO with Hartford of the AHL and will serve as backup for Al Montoya.

http://www.bakersfieldcondors.com/iyc/publish/article_258.asp

Florian Iberer has joined the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL.
Iberer has been released by the Condors.

Mathias Lange (Klagenfurt, Austria) posted a 29-save effort to backstop RPI to a 3-2 upset win over 11th ranked Boston University at Agganis Arena (BU) Friday night. You can read more about it HERE (http://www.bu.edu/phpbin/news-cms/news/?dept=38&id=36808).

Mathias Lange (Klagenfurt, Austria) posted a 29-save effort to backstop RPI to a 3-2 upset win over 11th ranked Boston University at Agganis Arena (BU) Friday night. You can read more about it HERE (http://www.bu.edu/phpbin/news-cms/news/?dept=38&id=36808).
Lange has been named ECAC goaltender of the week and rookie of the week :handclap:

The Kelowna Rockets have traded forward Thomas Raffl to the Swift Current Broncos.

Iberer has been released by the Condors.
Florian Iberer has joined the Quad City Mallards of the UHL and scored an assist in his first game.

Yannick Bodemann has signed a Try-Out contract with HC Visp of the Swiss NLB after being released by HC Ajoie.

Defenseman Lukas Friedl will play for Hobart College (ECAC West) this season. The team has played 3 games so far, Friedl was not on the roster yet.

Lange has been named ECAC goaltender of the week and rookie of the week :handclap:

Again! You can read more about it HERE (http://www.ecachockeyleague.com/news/men/ecachl_wk-6_m-players-05).

Just a point of information about Hobart College....it is a Division III school.

Lange did it again. Rookie of the week for the 3rd after ...

I´ve noticed Schiechl is reffered to as an great prospect. Anyone know more about him? What kind of player is he? Technically skilled, or a powerforward?

I´ve noticed Schiechl is reffered to as an great prospect. Anyone know more about him? What kind of player is he? Technically skilled, or a powerforward?
I haven't seen him play. From what I know he is a hard-working, quick guy with a goal-scorers mentality. Also seems to find quite a good balance between shooting and passing. He is only 16, so he'll still grow a little and maybe also develop a physical game. Maybe someone from the swedish board can help out?

Bernd Brückler has left North America and will play the rest of the season in Finland for Espoo Blues.

Thomas Raffl now plays in the USHL for the Des Moines Buccaneers.

Thomas Raffl now plays in the USHL for the Des Moines Buccaneers.
Raffl has returned to Austria, he'll suit up again for his former club VSV.

Andreas Nödl scored 1g 1a in the USHL Allstar game and earned first star honors :bow:

The article is about Salzburg beating Bozen despite not playing very good. In goal was Bernhard Bock instead of Bjurling who is out due to illness. The article does not say why exactly Bjurling is sidelined.

Is this the Björn Bjurling who is now playing for HC Genève-Servette?

Have you got any infos about the player Robert Lukas who is now playing for the Kloten Flyers?

Is this the Björn Bjurling who is now playing for HC Genève-Servette?


Yep, that´s Björn Bjurling (Oilers draftee).

Thanks!

A pity he didn't play more than 7 or 8 games up to now.

Unfortunately, there's some bad news concerning R. Lukas.
He gave a referee some false information which resulted in another player being suspended. Now there's an investigation.
For more information go here (http://www.eishockey.ch/news/detail.asp?ID=235985)

Have you got any infos about the player Robert Lukas who is now playing for the Kloten Flyers?
i don't like him as player, he is small, not physical and his decision making is poor. what makes him a rather valuable player is his skating, he is a quick guy.

Bernd Brückler is on fire in the Finnish League. His stats so far: 95,9% SvPctg, 1,22 GA and 3 shutouts in 10 games.

i don't like him as player, he is small, not physical and his decision making is poor. what makes him a rather valuable player is his skating, he is a quick guy.

Thanks for the info! :)

Andreas Nödl has been voted into the USHL first allstar team.
http://ushl.com/news/0506/20060327ushl2.cfm

hockeyfans.at reports Christoph Brandner will return to Germany next season and play for Hamburg Freezers.

What happened to Gregor Baumgartner? He lit up the Q while whith the Bathurst Titan. I would have thought he would have been a member of the Austrian National team by now. What has happened to him.

What happened to Gregor Baumgartner? He lit up the Q while whith the Bathurst Titan. I would have thought he would have been a member of the Austrian National team by now. What has happened to him.
It seemed like he totally lost confidence and shape while being shipped between the echl and ahl for dallas. he came back to austria and simply sucked, it took him two years to finally be a top 6 player in the austrian league, he played in a friendly in the national team this season, but was not included in the roster for the WC. If he continues to re-gain his confidence, i could see him make it next year.

Good news for Austrian hockey :handclap:

Michael Grabner might be drafted in the first round. The 18 year old, currently playing for Spokane Chiefs (WHL), is listed #15 among all skaters, according to Central Scouting Service.

Grabner was the top goalscorer of the Chiefs with 36 goals in 67 games.

Andreas Nödl, who is playing for Sioux Falls Stampede (former club of Thomas Vanek) in the USHL is listed #60. The 19 year old forward scored 29 goals and 30 assists in 58 games. He might go in the 2nd or 3rd round.

It seemed like he totally lost confidence and shape while being shipped between the echl and ahl for dallas. he came back to austria and simply sucked, it took him two years to finally be a top 6 player in the austrian league, he played in a friendly in the national team this season, but was not included in the roster for the WC. If he continues to re-gain his confidence, i could see him make it next year.
Thanks for the update. How about one more- Martin Hohenberger? Montreal draft pick?

Thanks for the update. How about one more- Martin Hohenberger? Montreal draft pick?
I like him. He is a good skater, good offensive instincts and a nasty edge. Unfortunatley the nastiness sometimes goes over the edge and results in real dirty plays, injuries of opponents and suspensions.
But imo he is a very good player who should be a regular on the austrian national team. He could definitly be a contributor in the swiss league or the DEL for example.

I like him. He is a good skater, good offensive instincts and a nasty edge. Unfortunatley the nastiness sometimes goes over the edge and results in real dirty plays, injuries of opponents and suspensions.
But imo he is a very good player who should be a regular on the austrian national team. He could definitly be a contributor in the swiss league or the DEL for example.
Thank you.

Bernd Brückler has extended his contract with Espoo Blues for next season.

Daniel Welser will stay with Skelleftea and play in the SEL next season.

hockeyfans.at reports that team austria and KAC defenseman Johannes Reichel will go on a tryout with Almtuna Upsala.

It is also rumored that 18 year old forward Markus Schlacher will join Skelleftea and play for their youth team.

hockeyfans.at reports that team austria and KAC defenseman Johannes Reichel will go on a tryout with Almtuna Upsala.

It is also rumored that 18 year old forward Markus Schlacher will join Skelleftea and play for their youth team.
these are good news, the more austrians who try to make the jump to the next level the better.

these are good news, the more austrians who try to make the jump to the next level the better.
absolutely. I already see good forward depth among young players in austria, but not much defensemen :(

hockeyfans.at reports that team austria and KAC defenseman Johannes Reichel will go on a tryout with Almtuna Upsala.

It is also rumored that 18 year old forward Markus Schlacher will join Skelleftea and play for their youth team.
Looks like Rögle BK has won the race for austrian defenseman Johannes Reichel.

Patrick Divjak has completed a Try-Out for the Sioux Falls Stampede. Looks like the former WE-V forward (former team of Andreas Nödl and Rafael Rotter) will be the successor to Nödl in Sioux Falls.

Fan.At -- thanks for your work compiling the list of Austrian players currently playing abroad. It was just what I was looking for, and I think it made for a nice addition to the NHL.com article on Austrian hockey.

http://www.nhl.com/features/pond/austria060806.html

Fan.At -- thanks for your work compiling the list of Austrian players currently playing abroad. It was just what I was looking for, and I think it made for a nice addition to the NHL.com article on Austrian hockey.

http://www.nhl.com/features/pond/austria060806.html
Thank you, Bill. Glad to see the information was useful for you.

What do you think will be the entry position of our Austrian prospects Michael Grabner and Andreas Nödl?

Furthermore which franchise will draft them?

Appreciate your comments

What do you think will be the entry position of our Austrian prospects Michael Grabner and Andreas Nödl?

Furthermore which franchise will draft them?

Appreciate your comments
Grabner I could see going somewhere in the range from 25 - 40, maybe even earlier.

Nödl probably in the third round.

It is difficult to say which Teams will draft them. I saw Grabner go in many Mock Drafts going to the New York Rangers (something i personally do not like) and Nödl's ties with Vanek could land him a spot in Buffalo. But thats pure speculation. I would like to see both go to organizations who have a good record in developing forwards, like Philadelphia, Colorado or San Jose for example.

Not bad at all.Grabner (14 Vancouver)& Nodl (39 Philadelphia)! :)

Surprised to see how many Europeans Nonis has taken in this draft aside from Grabner.

I am very happy Vancouver drafted Michael Grabner at 14th. He was the player I wanted the Canucks to draft because he is a very speedy sniper that has potential to be a very good 1st liner, which is what Vancouver needs. :)

Picture of Grabner: :D
http://img434.imageshack.us/img434/6223/grabner0du.jpg

Chris Harand will go on a try-out with Slavia Prague of the Czech Extraleague. He can only benefit from the greater competition in the czech league.

http://www.nhl.com/features/spotlight/nodl072106.html

very interessting story.

I especially like the last sentence.:handclap:

Thomas Koch has quit Lulea and returned to Austria. His new club will be Red Bulls Salzburg where he signed a 2-year-contract.

Patrick Gruber has left Landshut and will play for HC Innsbruck next season.

http://www.nhl.com/features/system/grabner072706.html

Nice article, furthermore the Austrian hockey will have more attention in North

America when Grabner and Nödl will take their chances.

According to hockeyfans.at, Rafael Rotter will play next season in Guelph. He apparently snubbed the Vienna Capitals who were very interested in his services.

Christop Harand will play for HC Znojemstí orli in 06/07.

Flo Iberer is in training camp with the Alaska Aces.

A few austrians will play in lower leagues outside of their home country this season:
Walter Bartholomäus - New Mexico Scorpions
Kristof Reinthaler - Dallas Stars Juniors
Andre Niec - Bloomington Prairie Thunder
Mickael Pierron - Phantoms Deurne
Martin Iberer - Quad City Express

List is updated for the 06/07 season.
Some interesting moves there, a lot of players moved to lower leagues in NA, like Bartholomäus, Martin Iberer and Andre Niec.

Chris Harand has returned to Austria and will play for KAC.
Walter Bartholomäus has been released by the New Mexico Scorpions.
Andre Niec has been bouncing around and has been waived by his last team, Fayetteville of the SPHL.

Walter Bartholomäus has returned to Austria and signed for Graz 99ers where he will replace Steve Passmore who was fired.

Vanek!!!

Vanek!!!

Damn, that was quick :) do you sleep at all??? :)

Here for the news Hannover Scorpions-Fans will like (in case they do not yet know):
Oliver Setzinger has signed a contract with Hannover. Although it looks like the contract has an NHL-out-clause and Setzinger would prefer to sign for an NHL team after the WC.

Stefan Horneber to Kölner Haie :handclap: congratulations

Manuel Schönhill has returned to Austria (from EV Füssen) and will play for Innsbrucker Haie next season.

Kristof Reinthaler has been drafted by the Sioux Falls Stampede in the 7th round of the USHL draft.

http://www.sfstampede.com/PressBox/HeadlineText.cfm?ID=1450

Andre Lakos to Färjestads BK (SEL).

Setzinger (Vienna Caps) to Nashville Predators
according to the "Kurier"

Does anybody know more about this?

Setzinger (Vienna Caps) to Nashville Predators
according to the "Kurier"

Does anybody know more about this?

Kleine Zeitung also reports it. And "Bild" in Germany too, apparently. We'll have to wait for an official announcement by the Predators, i guess.

Kleine Zeitung also reports it. And "Bild" in Germany too, apparently. We'll have to wait for an official announcement by the Predators, i guess.

Itt is official now, Setzinger signed by Nashville.

Lakos to Minnesota Wild?

Lakos to Minnesota Wild?

Wow.

Looks like Matthias Trattnig is in talks with the Boston Bruins (who were also rumored to be interested in Setzinger before he signed with Nashville)

Looks like Matthias Trattnig is in talks with the Boston Bruins (who were also rumored to be interested in Setzinger before he signed with Nashville)

Trattnig stays in Austria.

Defenseman Stefan Ulmer, brother of Martin Ulmer was selected by the Spokane Chiefs in the 2007 CHL Import Draft.

http://www.spokanechiefs.com/news/?ID=1787

Young forward Markus Wilfan (91 born) will move to Sweden and play in the Malmö Redhawks system.

Twins Stefan and Manuel Geier (88 born) will move to Arboga, to play in the swedish 3rd tier league.

Kristof Reinthaler and Patrick Divjak (former WE-V player) will battle for a roster spot at the Sioux Falls Stampede camp. Both players have been there last year, but were cut.

Taylor Holst has moved from the Summerland Sting to the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the BCHL
http://www.cowichancapitals.com/release26.htm

Robert Lukas to HKM Nitra, Slovakia.

16 year old defenseman Dominic Waldnig (debuted last year in the top austrian league for one game) will go to Finland and play for TPS Turku's system.

Kevin Moderer will play for the Dallas Stars AAA Team next season.

Robert Divjak and Kris Reinthaler have both managed to secure a spot in the USHL and will play for the Sioux Falls Stampede this season!

Youngsters Benedikt Schennach and Daniel Woger are playing in the EJHL this season.
Schennach plays for the New England Falcons and Woger suits up for the Jr. Bruins.

Youngsters Benedikt Schennach and Daniel Woger are playing in the EJHL this season.
Schennach plays for the New England Falcons and Woger suits up for the Jr. Bruins.

There are actually 3 Austrians playing in the Eastern Junior. Former Team Illinois forward Hugo Margoc made the roster of the South Shore Kings.

Nödl + Lange (NCAA), Rotter (OHL), Ulmer (CHL), Holst (BCHL), Divjak + Reinthaler (USHL), Schennach, Woger + Margoc (EJHL), Moderer (AAA), Kames (AA). Seems like Austrian talents invading North-American-"junior"-hockey and the Vanek-seed is spreading!

Florian Iberer has been named defenseman of the month in the IHL - Iberer has also collected 4 defenseman of the week - awards.

Oliver Setzinger has left the Milwaukee Admirals and plays for the SC Langnau Tigers in Switzerland now.

Florian Iberer has left the Kalamazoo Wings and signed a contract with Blackwings Linz in Austria.

Christian Ban moves from KAC to Östersund (SWE)

The high amount of foreign players in the austrian league makes austrian players go to interesting leagues and clubs.
Defenseman Georg Privoznik now suits up for ASK Ogre in Latvia.

young prospects Konstantin Komarek (F) and Robert Lembacher (D) will play for the youth teams of Lulea HF next season.

and how many austrians are there in the nHL

and how many austrians are there in the nHL

Right now there's only Vanek guaranteed.

Possibibilities are:
Andreas Nödl (Philadelphia Flyers)
Michael Grabner (Vancouver Canucks)
Thomas Pöck (New York Rangers)

Andre Lakos becomes the first Austrian to play in Russia. He signed a contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk.

updated for next season

added juniors Martirosian, Meinhardt and Oberleitner

added juniors Martirosian, Meinhardt and Oberleitner

The list would need some more updates, as players like Iberer, Moderer or Fischer are back in Austria and others have joined the Austrian "colonies" abroad. I think there are more Austrian hockey players abroad than ever before and the "development assistance" seems to work. 7 players from the successful U20-team have playing experience abroad.

@Fan.at
Maybe you can revise the list with these two links. They seem to be pretty up-to-date:

USA/Canada:
http://www.eishockeyforum.com/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=20584

Europe:
http://www.eishockeyforum.com/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=21014