Team Austria

All-Time Record: 92-106-19

Federation Heads:
Ramicus (S20-S23)
King (S20-S23)
Gaia Mormont (S23-S25)
Really (S23-S25)
hockeyis66 (S26-S36)
Coach Biz (S37-Present)

Coaches:
91Caleb (S20-S23)

IIHF Medals: 2
IIHF Gold: 1
IIHF Silver: 0
IIHF Bronze: 1

IHF Championships History:
S21: Group Stage,, 6-9-0
S22: Group Stage,, 4-7-1
S23: Group Stage,, 4-8-0
S24: Group Stage, 3-7-0
S25: Group Stage, 3-5-2
S26: Group Stage, 2-7-1
S27: Group Stage, 3-6-1
S28: Quarter Finals, 5-5-1
S29: Bronze Medal, 9-3-1
S30: Group Stage, 2-7-1
S31: Group Stage, 3-6-1
S32: Quarter Finals, 5-5-1
S33: Gold Medal, 10-3-0
S34: Group Stage, 4-4-2
S35: Quarter Finals, 6-3-1
S36: Quarter Finals, 4-3-3
S37: Quarter Finals, 4-5-1
S38: Group Stage, 4-5-1
S39: Quarter Finals, 6-4-0
S40: Semi Finals, 5-4-1




The main reason for this article was to re-introduce our nations to the site. But Austria may be the only team that doesn't need that introduction as they are far and away the most media friendly country in the IIHF. From exciting games at the Lord-Vader dome to their popular team signatures.. Coach Biz has done a masterful job in creating an identity for this small piece of land in Europe. It's no big secret that IIHF officials want the big countries like Canada and the United States leading the way in fanfare and intrigue, ask them and they will tell you this themselves!....but right now Austria has seized a chunk of that spotlight through consistent information and top-notch marketing making them one of the most recognized countries in the federation.

Of course it wasnt always this way for Austria, losers of 44 of there first 66 round robin games this was an irrelevant nation with in the international community. In season 27 Coach Vader came along with the understanding that Austria simply doesn't generate enough prospects to sustain a functional team and put forth a recruitment plan that centered around transfers.. This new strategy helped move Austria into relevance and ultimately into medal contention with a bronze in 29 and their first gold medal in S33! Coach Biz took over in S37 with a plan of his own that included a relentless recruitment scheme which has produced players like Jordin FourFour Jr., Chippy Chiclets, Gabriel Wong, Richard Physt, Scooter McGavin and Flacco Lagerfield over his 4 year span as GM... putting together one of the better young rosters in the tournament!

Their detailed approach and active locker room has quickly made this team a great landing spot for the serious international player. Austria hasn't won a medal since 33, but has made the medal rounds 7 of the last 9 tournaments with their closest chance coming last season where they lost to Germany in the Bronze Medal game.



Scouting Austria

5 vs. 5 Forward:
1 Tigole Bitties-Max Wachter-Brennan Kennedy
2 Alex Light-Mike Izzy-Gabriel Wong
3 Matthew Auston-Wolf Von Hammersmark-Mikhail Lokitonov
4 Alex Light-Don Pellegrino-Yannick Burger

5 vs. 5 Defense:
1 Jon Ross-Karl Hefeweizen
2 Chippy Chiclets-Hunky Monkey
3 Richard Physt-Nucky Toohoots
4 Jon Ross-Karl Hefeweizen

Goalies:
1 Jordin FourFour Jr.


What to look out for:
Lord Vader who was last seasons best IIHF defenceman has officialy retired. This will also be Nucky Tahootes final run at international play, leaving some holes within the Austrian blue line. Jon Ross and Karl Hefeweizen now become the teams top paired defensive unit with SHL rookie Richard Physt set for more playing time.

Austria moves Gabriel Wong, Mikhail Lokitonov and Yannick Burger up the line up as all 3 have unbanked for the tourny, while Shooter McGavin and Flacco Lagerfield recieve an invite to camp in hopes to play their way onto this seasons 20 man roster. Also, After 14 seasons and 2 medals, Don Pellegrino has been inducted into Team Austria's hall of fame.


S41 Outlook:
The pundits in our predictions post typically have this country outside of their groups top 4, but it may be hard to keep them off your medal round brackets this season, even in a tough bracket as the Austrians are coming into the tourny with more weapons then they had last season where they finished 4th of 12. Austria has a powerful group of forwards and a top flight goalie.. Blue line depth and there top 4's ability to play lots of productive minutes will be the key to this teams tourament.


A deeper look into Team Austria


Top IIHF under 18's:
Shooter McGavin, F
Flacco Lagerfield, F

Team Strengths:
Forwards (skill and depth)
Goalie

Needs:
Defensive Depth (need at least 2)

Projected time to make the roster:
Forwards: 2-3 seasons
Defense: 2 seasons
Goalie: 10+ Seasons

Projected time to play on the top 3 lines:
Forwards: Unbanked and 700+ TPE
Defense: Unbanked and 525-600+ TPE
Goalie: 10+ Seasons