At 36 years old: Lebler back for Austria

Austria's ice hockey team manager Roger Bader receives a prominent player addition before the international test match double against Germany.

21 April 2025

From: apa

Eight players from ICE finalists Salzburg and KAC, as well as comeback player Brian Lebler from the Black Wings Linz, are now part of the 28-man roster. Bader can also count on the experience of KAC coaches Kirk Furey and Christoph Brandner on the bench. The duels against Germany take place on Thursday and Saturday.

Lebler's comeback had already leaked out the previous week. With 33 goals, the 36-year-old veteran was the top scorer of the past ICE season. "We met in Linz before the playoffs. I told him with a wink that we'd see each other after the playoffs at the national team. That's how the ball started rolling. Brian is on fire," Bader said. David Maier, Thimo Nickl, and Clemens Unterweger joined from Klagenfurt. Paul Stapelfeldt, Nikolaus Kraus, Thomas Raffl, Peter Schneider, and Lucas Thaler joined from champions Salzburg.

The World Cup team is now almost complete. Only Vinzenz Rohrer, who is battling for the Swiss title with the ZSC Lions, NHL pro Marco Kasper, who is still awaiting clearance, and Salzburg goalie Atte Tolvanen, who is staying with his heavily pregnant wife, are still missing. Alongside Furey and Brandner, Reinhard Divis will serve as goaltending coach.