Black Wings guide ex-Bozen defender to Linz

The 31-year-old knows the league and has already played for HCB Südtirol and Dornbirner EC in the league. The Canadian scored 17 goals and 30 assists in a total of 102 ICE Hockey League games. In Slovakia, the defender, who was drafted in 83rd place by the Buffalo Sabers (2010), was even able to increase his points tally: In two seasons in the Slovakian Extraliga, he has 16 goals and 70 points after 116 games. The right-hand shooter also won a championship title in the 21/22 season with Slovan. He signed a two-year contract in Linz.

“We know Matt from his time in our league. We already considered him last year and are very happy about this signing. He is definitely an upgrade on defense and usable in all situations in the game. We want to radiate more danger from the blue line next year. He will definitely help us in building up the game and in our development,” says coach Philipp Lukas.

Newcomer Matt MacKenzie is also looking forward to his new role: “I remember the arena and the passionate fans in Linz very well. I know some guys and I’m really looking forward to playing with them again. It already feels like home. The development of the team was very impressive last season and I have a good feeling that we can go far in the playoffs.”

Meanwhile, according to rumors, the signs are that a home defender is saying goodbye: Ramon Schnetzer has an offer from a western neighboring country and would like to seize the opportunity. For the Linz defense, the departure would be a minor setback, because home defenders are few and far between in this transfer period.

Squad planning of the Steinbach Black Wings

CONTRACTS IN PROGRESS OR EXTENDED

• Goal (2): Rasmus Tirronen (until 2025), Thomas Höneckl (until 2024)
• Defense (4): Gerd Kragl (until 2025), Lorenz Lindner (until 2024), Raphael Wolf (until 2024), Logan Roe (until 2024), Matt MacKenzie (until 2024)
• Sturm (13): Brian Lebler (until 2024), Shawn St-Amant (until 2025), Andreas Kristler (until 2024 with option), Stefan Gaffal (until 2024 with option), Emilio Romig (until 2024), Brodi Stuart (until 2024). 2024), Julian Pusnik (until 2024), Niklas Bretschneider (until 2025), Dennis Sticha (until 2024 with option), Kilian Rappold (until 2024), Graham Knott (until 2024), Nico Feldner (until 2025, access from HC Innsbruck ), Jakob Mitsch (until 2024)

STAY OPEN

• Leon Sommer, Patrick Söllinger, Marc-Andre Dorion, Ramon Schnetzer, Martin Schumnig, Marco Brucker, Michael Haga, Alexander Lahoda