2025/26 Season (excluding Nash Nienhuis, who is considered a foreigner only in the league, and promoted farm team players):
Carried over from previous season: Dennis Robertson, Tyler Lewington, and Troy Bourke
New: Connor Corcoran (D, 26): ECHL/AHL 'borderliner'.
Initially a solid point producer from the blue line, before that tapered off over the course of the season. Afterwards inconspicuous, no defensive bulwark. Now with Espoo in the Liiga, however, he's again a defender with certain firepower. Reportedly not particularly popular in the locker room in Salzburg.
Devante Stephens (D, 29): AHL veteran who shuttled between the ice and the stands.
In Salzburg, more or less a follower, not a big physical factor and offensively limited. Currently without a club.
Cole Krygier (D, 26): With little game practice in the AHL over the years, then brought in from the ECHL at the deadline.
Joined the squad (too) late, couldn't make a name for himself, but (once again) played as an academy player in the AlpsHL. Size no longer mattered, no hands. Currently without a club.
Brandon Coe (W, 24): In the AHL in three previous seasons, played between 30 and 57 games each, with modest scoring numbers.
In Salzburg, a fair-weather player of the highest order – a brilliant skater who often held onto the puck for far too long. Not a team player, defensively uninterested. Currently in Liptovsky Mikulas, the 'Devil's Island' of the SVK Extraliga. However, they are doing well sportingly this year, with Coe also scoring more than a point per game.
Travis St. Denis (C/W, 34): Five years in the AHL, then four in the DEL.
Actually still the most logical and also the best addition. Scored regularly as in all his previous stints, also no foolish penalties or suspensions that pushed him out of the DEL. His departure was rather a surprise, perhaps also due to age. More appreciated today at KAC.
2026/27 Season:
Carried over from previous season: Dennis Robertson
New: Olivier Galipeau (D, 29): ECHL/AHL 'borderliner', then one season each in Berlin and Banska Bystrica.
A solid D in Slovakia, also often in the stands in Berlin. In Salzburg, not used on the power play, but also with defensive hacks. Robust physical play continues to fall primarily to Robertson, although still the physically strongest of the new additions.
Wyatt Kalynuk (D, 29): AHL regular, then in Liiga and last season with three KHL teams.
Always a nimble skater with and without the puck, capable of carrying and distributing it. But too often second-best in battles.
Jayden Lee (D, 25): ECHLer with average scoring numbers.
An experiment like Hannus in Graz or Larochelle in Villach. An undersized D who can activate and drive the offense. Appears intimidated in battles (if he even engages in them) and almost completely refrains from shooting on the power play. In an effort to become more agile compared to last season, they overcorrected at the latest with his signing. Only increased production can save him.
Adam Brooks (C, 30): Solid AHL scorer with some NHL appearances. Last two seasons in Munich.
Perhaps still the most logical addition, redirected from the corporate colleague in Munich. There and previously with injuries. Perhaps also because of this, very hesitant appearances; certainly not a player who goes into battles headfirst. Occasionally, his good passing qualities flash through. But far from expectations, so far no difference-maker.
Nick Poisson (W, 25): After five college years, one season split between AHL and ECHL.
The (so far) last import signing, at best showing flashes of being dynamic and puck-hungry occasionally, then long periods of being unseen again. He is also another player without a physical presence, the team has shrunk considerably over the summer.
Only Six Imports This Year
Generally, for the last two years, this holds true: The "Red Bulls" primarily relied on average AHLers or even ECHLers – which can certainly work in our league, but not in this quantity.
With the exception of Kalynuk or perhaps former DEL players Brooks and St. Denis, players with these references could just as easily have signed in Székesfehérvár or Ljubljana without causing a stir.
Overall, only six imports are on the roster this year (young Swede Isak Norlin was sent back to the farm team) and they have presented themselves with modest quality so far.
The main problem so far: Robertson, at 35, has to single-handedly ensure discipline and order against opponents, where Lewington and MacWilliam used to help. Conversely, the focus on better skaters by no means resulted in increased offense.
The "Red Bulls" are currently a team that no one needs to fear anymore. Subsequent signings of players of similar quality, who would then send academy prospects back to the AlpsHL, would also not help.
