Incomplete ÖEHV Women's Team as a Warning to the Federation?

While a conflict continues to smolder between the ÖEHV and a large part of its women's national team, the 21 players who have not withdrawn have traveled to Slovakia for a preparatory tournament.

There, a Four Nations Tournament is scheduled from Thursday to Saturday in Bardejov, with games against the hosts, the Netherlands, and Italy.

Among those not present are Theresa Schafzahl (pictured), Anna Meixner, Antonia Matzka, Charlotte Wittich, Annika Fazokas, Anja Trummer, Emma Pfeffer, Emma Mörtl, and Selma Luggin.

Goalkeeper Luggin, for example, wasn't even nominated, even though the new coaching staff, including Pierre Groulx, features a new goalie coach at the tournament.

She told "younion": "After I couldn't reach head coach Alexander Bröms for days to ask why I wasn't called up, my teammates were told over the weekend that my qualities are already well-known and therefore other goalkeepers should be given a chance. This is three months before the A-World Championship, at a camp with a new goalie coach, and after Joey Vollmer had to leave without explanation."

Bröms himself will miss the start of the camp due to a private tragedy but intends to join later.

Support from Marco Rossi

The players' union "younion", the representative institution in the current dispute over training and playing conditions for the ÖEHV women, is using the start of the crucial phase leading up to the A-World Championship in November to lament the deadlock in the conflict.

Chairman Sascha Tomanek states: "There have been numerous discussions, justifications, and attempts to persuade. However, the players are still waiting for concrete written commitments or proposals. Given the reliability that CEO Helwig, Vice President Stepina, and General Manager Kogler have demonstrated in recent months, this is no longer a surprise. Even the media outcry means nothing to them."

He further adds: "An incomplete squad at an A-National Team training camp must surely be a sign for those in charge. There is a General Manager for Women's and Para Ice Hockey, Martin Kogler, who relies on women playing ice hockey. His job is to ensure these players have the best conditions. Unfortunately, he is not achieving that. Or why are the players split across two hotels again? What would they have done if the entire squad had come? Would they have booked a third hotel?"

Meanwhile, support for the protest of the ÖEHV players also comes from Marco Rossi: "Whoever represents our country and gives their all for this sport deserves respect, appreciation, and the best possible support – regardless of whether it's in women's, men's, or junior hockey. Especially for the next generation, we must work together to ensure that Austrian ice hockey develops in the right direction. You have my full support!"

ÖEHV Hopes for Dialogue in Slovakia

Shortly after the latest "younion" statement, the ÖEHV, in its current letter, expresses hope that the training camp in Slovakia can "also represent a valuable opportunity to continue the dialogue in person and on an equal footing for a factual and respectful clarification."

"The federation emphasizes its strong interest in continuing cooperation on the continuous development of women's ice hockey, despite the tense situation. Escalation is not conducive in this situation. It is important to remember that in a matter involving multiple parties, there are always two sides with different perspectives and approaches. The ÖEHV is not interested in escalation, but rather in constructive discussions and solutions in the interest of Austrian ice hockey," the statement continues.

And: "This ongoing willingness to talk is explicitly directed not only at the national team players currently in Slovakia but also at those who are not participating in the current training camp."