Wimmer's New Start: "I want to prove I belong here"

This was preceded by a conversation with General Manager Helmut Schlögl after the season. "He gave me the option that I could leave," the 1.95-meter giant reveals in an interview with LAOLA1.

Schlögl was of the opinion that it would be better for his career to join another club so that he could fully exploit his potential there. "I agreed to that," Wimmer nods.

The will to establish himself was there

Even a year ago, the two-time A-World Championship participant had the opportunity to leave Salzburg. Before Wimmer extended his contract, there were offers from other teams in the win2day ICE Hockey League, he confirms.

But the desire to finally establish himself in the professional squad was stronger. "Of course, the goal was to make my mark in Salzburg. I thought I would succeed," Wimmer emphasizes.

However, the summer wasn't even properly over when Wimmer suffered a leg injury. The defensive player was only able to play his first league game on November 30.

No hard feelings

After 24 appearances, the 45-time ÖEHV national team player was sent to the farm team in time for the playoffs. A procedure Wimmer knew all too well from previous years.

"A player can always be brought in if needed," he knows. That can be frustrating, Wimmer admits. "However, I don't want to blame them for me not playing."

Nevertheless, it's more difficult in Salzburg than at other clubs to sustainably earn a roster spot. But: "You can also take that as motivation to see what you're lacking and improve accordingly."

Surprising World Championship Debut

Head Coach Philipp Lukas certainly sees the 24-year-old as one of the "most promising domestic defensemen," who, however, did not receive the necessary trust in crucial moments.

Besides the Linz coach, ÖEHV national team coach Roger Bader is considered one of Wimmer's biggest supporters. The Swiss coach took him to the A-World Championship in Finland in 2022, even though the then 20-year-old only had eleven ICE games under his belt at that time.

That also came as a surprise to Wimmer; the memories are still fresh. "The first week took place in Linz. I came here and thought: A week with the A-national team, awesome. Then it just kept going."

He became more confident week by week, and had the impression himself that he was playing well. In Tampere, he eventually played six of the seven group games.

Myocarditis stopped him

With newfound confidence, the defenseman also wanted to make a breakthrough at Red Bull Salzburg, but myocarditis, a lingering effect from the Corona era, sidelined him until February 2023.

"The diagnosis was very tough," Wimmer says, "but I never thought about ending my career." He had always felt good, never had any problems. The doctors were confident that he could play hockey again.

Wimmer: "I was just waiting for the doctor to say: You can play again." Although the illness was cured after two months, cardiac arrhythmias prevented a premature comeback.