The training may be late, but under the guidance of former professionals.
This attracts so many that the “Icehawks Oberland” initially won't accept anyone.
Weilheim -
The ice hockey project in Weilheim has reached a new level.
At the "EHC Icehawks Oberland", as the hobby hackers are called, they are already so far advanced that they have to issue rejections and put those interested in a waiting list.
In one year they grew from 15 to 36 members, and they would still grow without this admission freeze.
On average, over 20 come into training.
“Barely tradable,” says Henrik Borkenstein, the maker.
With more men it would be too boring for everyone.
Who wants to stand in line for exercises?
You do that often enough in everyday corona.
In addition, “we can't go to a friendly game with 36 players,” says Borkenstein.
You could also compete against yourself.
But that doesn't make any sense.
The rapid development of the Weilheimers has basically only confirmed what the makers knew before the founding: In the great cosmos of hobby ice hockey, there is no team that, for once, not only meets for fun, but actually wants to learn the sport.
With real training and real trainers.
A niche in the market that attracts enough interested parties.
At this point we should also congratulate the creators on this charming and attractive idea.
They garnished their concept with all sorts of gingerbread and icing, so you could almost only take a bite: two top division professionals as coaches, regular units, their own jerseys (in bright orange), and all of that for a small price - 260 euros a year for Teenagers half.
Honestly, where do you train with former DEL players for 260 euros?
Felix Barth has also been helping the goalkeepers since this season.
Someone who has been one of the best goalies in the Bayernliga for years now looks after two men who have always admired people like him.
A lot of passion and a lot of chance came together.
"Normally nobody goes to the ice rink in the evening because they like to be in the ice rink," joked Markus Schröder, the trainer, during an interview at around 9:40 pm.
Short note: He spoke in front of the unit.
The Icehawks always practice so late.
Playing in a league doesn't make sense
The coach's reward is rapid progress and unending gratitude.
“We are very, very, very, very happy.
That exceeds all expectations ”, enthuses Borkenstein, who works with Markus Schröder in Schongau and won him over for the project.
But they also learn really quickly.
A year ago, and this is by no means exaggerated, the players worked hard to send four or five passes in a row to the right destination.
"To put it stupidly, they played the discs blindly in one direction," says Markus Schröder.
He and his brother Stefan have packed these basics - passing, skating, shooting - in so many exercises that he now says: "The boys are becoming safer, they are on the right track."
Nobody can really say where this path is going.
Actually, that's not important either.
But an athlete likes to measure himself against others.
District league, the lowest league in the association, doesn't really make any sense.
It would take a lot of money.
For ice ages, away trips, coaches and stuff like that.
In addition: Anyone who competes there has learned ice hockey at least once as a child or is young, fit and capable of learning.
In the "Icehawks", a 16-year-old plays with a 55-year-old.
In a few years, Markus Schröder could imagine joining the Werdenfelser Hockey League (WHL), a hobby class with three divisions, he says.
“We're leaving that open, it's still a long way off,” says Borkenstein.
You will first continue to practice and test diligently.
For example against the "Network Devils" from Tegernsee, whom they met twice.
Every ten months.
If you need proof of progress, then the results: The first duel ended 2: 1, the second the Weilheimers won 9: 4, or as the coach says: "You have seen that it all bears fruit."