The "Euro Ice Hockey Challenge " at the Olympiaworld Innsbruck is the penultimate preparatory phase for the Austrian national team before the Winter Olympics in Sochi/Russia. In the extended Austrian roster for the international games against France (November 7), Slovenia (November 8) and IIHF World Championship organizer Belarus (November 9) are 42 players.

"We are always looking for those players that fit into our system and identify with the national team," stated Viveiros who didn’t have an easy selection process for his team. "The players must now feel as role models because they are at the Olympics in February. Therefore the tournament in Innsbruck will be a very prominent one."

Andreas Nödl, since two weeks in Klagenfurt under contract and a former NHL player, will be for the first time in red-white-red since 2009. For the first time eligible for Austria is Brian Lebler, who has a dual citizenship and his father, Edward, played 111 games with 120 points for the Austrian national team.

"In hockey injuries can always happen easily. Therefore I am glad that I have a big roster and I am available to respond to, "said head coach Viveiros. " For Nödl I am very happy that he has found a club after his serious injury. It is important that he plays again and can now get to know the national team."

In addition, the Austrian national team will prepare not only on the ice, but also in cooperation with the Austrian Olympic Committee (ÖOC) to carry out the necessary sports medical examinations for Sochi 2014.

Tickets

The tickets for this tournament are available now. In addition to the "Tournament Pass" with six games in three days also day tickets (two games) are offered. Ticket offices: +4315445440, selected branches of Erste Bank and Sparkassen, Innsbruck Info, Ö-Ticket West) and the online ticket shop at www.eishockey.at (http://www.eishockey.at/nationalteams/senioren/tickets/).

Press Conference

Ahead of the "Euro Ice Hockey Challenge" a press conference will take place on November 5^th in Innsbruck (start 11:30). The Austrian Ice Hockey Federation will present goals for the upcoming Olympic season. Special guest of this press conference is the Russian Olympic medalist Pavel Bure. The now 42-year-old is a member of the "Hockey Hall of Fame" (2011/12), the "IIHF Hall of Fame" (2012) and was a world champion (1990) and "Rookie of the Year" of the National Hockey League (1991/92).

Euro Ice Hockey Challenge 2013 in Innsbruck

November 7 to 9, 2013, Tickets, Application for Accreditation

Arena: Olympiaworld Innsbruck

Game schedule

07.11.2013, 14:30: Belarus – Slovenia

07.11.2013, 18:30: France – Austria (broadcasting: ORF Sport +, LAOLA1.tv)

08.11.2013, 14:30: France – Belarus

08.11.2013, 18:30: Austria – Slovenia (broadcasting: ORF Sport +, LAOLA1.tv)

09.11.2013, 14:30: Slovenia – France

09.11.2013, 18:30: Austria – Belarus (broadcasting: ORF Sport +, LAOLA1.tv)

Text: Florian Russmann (presse@eishockey.at)

Photo: Auinger/ÖEHV