Austria

Changes in Austria and Great Britain rosters

Austria makes a cut in the roster for Olympic Qualification after the game against Kazakhstan: forwards Philipp Pinter, Daniel Woger and Michael Schiechl (all Vienna Capitals) and defenseman Johannes Reichel (Kac Klagenfurt) have been cut from the roster.

Also Great Britain has to make changes in the roster, all due to injuries: Basingstoke Bison netminder Stevie Lyle will replace Stephen Murphy while Nottingham Panthers defenceman Steve Lee will replace team-mate Jonathan Weaver

Kopitar behind Slovenian win

Anze Kopitar had 3 assists when his Slovenia beat Italy 4-0 on the first day of the EIHC tournament in Ljubljana. France beat Austria 2-0.

Pietilä new Austria U18 coach

Sakari Pietilä was announced as new Austria U18 head coach. The 58-year old Finnish coach has coaching experience from SM-liiga, Elitserien, as well as Finnish national team.

Germany invited to 100th anniversary of ÖEHV

The German national team has been invited by the Austrian Ice Hockey Federation (ÖEHV) to play a test game on 18 September 2012 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Austrian federation. The venue for the game still has to be announced by the Austrians in the next weeks.

Germany selects Bietigheim-Bissingen to host Olympic qualifications

The German Ice Hockey Association named Bietigheim-Bissingen host of Group D of the Final Olympic Qualification, 7-10 February 2013.

The tournament that includes neighbour Austria, Italy and a qualifier will be played in the new Ellentalarena that is currently being built beside the old ice rink and will have space for about 4,000 spectators.

The Latvian Hockey Federation (LHF) previously announced to host Group E at Arena Riga. The other participating teams are France, Kazakhstan and a qualifier.
The third group of the Final Olympic Qualification will be hosted at a venue to be determined in Denmark with Belarus, Slovenia and a qualifier being the other teams.

Austria hires Alpo Suhonen

Austrian Ice Hockey Federation annouces Finnish Alpo Suhonen was named new Sports Director
Suhonen, 63, was the first European-born NHL head coach in 50 years when he took over the Chicago Blackhawks on 22 May 2000. More recently he worked as Sports Manager of Kloten Flyers in Switzerland and last season at HC 05 Banska Bystrica in Slovakia

Austria and Latvia wins

Austria beat Switzerland 3-1 in Feldkirch in Euro Hockey Challenge tonight. Latvia beat Denmark 2-1 in Odense.