With agile defenseman Roni Allen (the only confirmed import from last year), the Pioneers must hope he can build on his performance from the previous season. Back after two guest seasons in Villach: Guus van Nes. The Dutchman, married to a Vorarlberg native, is expected to bring his net-front presence back, and a double-digit goal tally can be assumed from him. He is to be managed by new center Blake Murray – the 25-year-old ECHLer is also expected to have the ability to score himself.
Other hopefuls among the new imports: defenseman Brycen Martin, the 30-year-old is expected to lead the power play after a year in Denmark. The undersized winger Jesse Seppälä swaps a supporting role at HIFK for one on the top line - his shot is expected to shine on the power play. Among the other new imports, Ville Immonen is hoped to be a solid center, and Noah Serdachny is expected to have few adjustment problems transitioning from college to the ICE.
Neither coaches nor goalies have been a problem for the Pioneers over the last few years: Dylan Stanley (Davos) and Johannes Nygard (Freiburg) found interesting new employers. With Marko Ojanen and Tony Virta (both long-time Liiga assistants) behind the bench, solid Finnish work is hoped for. Alex Caffi is back in goal – the now 36-year-old has a new backup in Leon Sommer, and will probably have to play more than the usual 50 percent of games this year.
Squad Question Marks
The long period of deliberation regarding their participation had fatal consequences: With David Madlener, Ivan Korecky, Ramon Schnetzer, Michael Kernberger, Oskar Maier, Marlon Tschofen, Luca Erne, Kevin Macierzynski, and Daniel Woger (career end), the entire Austrian core was lost. Although they only contributed to a second-to-last place finish, they could not even be remotely replaced.
When it comes to the depth of the local core, a depth chart is always more valuable than potential line combinations. In Feldkirch, they quickly reach their limit: 36-year-old Caffi, then perhaps Niki Wetzl, who at least has played in Villach before. But then? Oliver Lam, Max Stiegler, and Dominik Prodinger played on the fringes of other ICE rosters. Among the remnants from last season, Ben Summer would at least have earned a contract in Vienna had the Pioneers folded. Overall, however, this is a local core that would not inspire much hope even in the Alps-HL.
Even if you include completely league-inexperienced players like Colin Leeb or Nikolaus Rock, who were never even considered for junior national teams: they don't get more than seven defenders and 13 forwards. In case of injuries, the qualitative gaps will also become quantitatively visible.
Areas for Potential Reinforcement
Not all imports will meet expectations, so trades would not be surprising. One or two Austrians – if the team can afford them – might also join during the season.
Outlook
There has probably never been a roster in the ICE that – accounting for inflation – was assembled with fewer resources than this year's Pioneers. Even if the pre-season results were quite respectable: anything other than last place would be a huge sensation and an extraordinary utilization of available resources...
