The new coach of the EC Peiting is no stranger to the fans

A few names were haunted by the area, now it's out: At an online press conference, those responsible at EC Peiting announced who the coach will be for the coming season.

Peiting

- The new press area in the ice rink of the EC Peiting has been completed for some time.

Since no spectators were allowed in the Oberliga Süd season, which had just ended for the Peitinger, the press area in the stadium was also not needed.

She experienced her baptism of fire last Holy Saturday - and then the ECP officials came up with a tangible Easter surprise.

“That was surprising for us too.

Peitings captain Andreas Feuerecker on the engagement of Anton Saal.

Less than a week after the season ended against Starbulls Rosenheim in the first play-off round, the league team presented their new coach.

Anton Saal, the team's former captain, will succeed Sebastian Buchwieser.

"That was also surprising for us," said Andreas Feuerecker, Saal's successor as team captain, on behalf of the ECP team that was practically all present.

Those responsible at the Peitingers, who had all imposed a vow of silence on the name of the Buchwieser heir in the past few days, managed to get the personal information up to the publication in the context of an online conference on the Peitinger's Facebook channel, where up to 140 participants peeked in, keeping under the lid.

"We looked through and analyzed applications, but in the end the thought grew more and more that Toni would suit us as a trainer," reported team manager Gordon Borberg of the decision-making process.

Ice hockey: Anton Saal has trained the EC Peiting Bambini so far

This ultimately led to the former striker, who had previously only gained coaching experience with the youngest junior team in the club, the Bambini (U7), a chance.

“I am now allowed to train the youngest children with the adults,” said Saal with a smile at his introduction.

Therefore, the jump is not that big for him.

“I know what I'm getting myself into.” The 35-year-old, who hung up his skates two years ago after more than 750 games in the DEL2 and the major league - the short-term comeback last season will be here times not counting - is aware of the difficulty of the task.

Ice hockey: EC Peiting has had good experiences with young coaches in the past

Those responsible for ECP have had good experiences in the past with young trainers such as John Sicinski, but also Buchwieser.

Both are positive examples of the seamless transition from a player to a coaching career.

The Peitinger team is convinced that Saal will also succeed in this step.

“We know Toni, he's always been a leader in the team.

He has a big heart for the club and he has everything a coach needs, ”said Borberg, listing the advantages of the new coach.

Peiting's team manager also expressly thanked Buchwieser for five years of successful cooperation.

"We wish him all the best in his new role."

Ice hockey: The new coach of the EC Peiting also announces unpleasant decisions in terms of “personal”

The new ECP trainer, who only has the C-license and who will contest the coming season with a special permit before the required B-license is obtained, is looking forward to his new job.

"With a few exceptions, I know everyone in the team and I know what makes the boys tick," reported Saal.

But he is also aware that “there are also unpleasant decisions to be made now”.

Together with Borberg, the Bad Bayersoier will hold talks with the players over the next few weeks in order to put together the squad for the next season.

"We're not as far along as usual, but that was due to the coach question that we wanted to clarify first," said Borberg.

Ice hockey: Dennis Neal returns to HC Landsberg, Markus Keppeler stays with EC Peiting

However, the future of two actors has already been determined, as the team manager explained.

Markus Keppeler will stay with the EC Peiting.

"We really wanted to keep him on board in his triple role as assistant coach, stadium host and team chef," said Borberg in a good mood.

Defender Dennis Neal, on the other hand, will leave the ECP after just one season.

The 29-year-old defender is switching back to league rivals HC Landsberg, for whom he played in the Bayernliga from 2017 to 2019, despite the ongoing contract.

At the bottom of the table in the main round, Neal should take a leadership role.

“I'm looking forward to playing in my home district again.

I had a great time at the HCL in the Bayernliga, "said Neal, who lives in Epfach and who also laced his skates for TSV Peißenberg for a few years, on" hockeyweb.de ".

Due to a shoulder injury, Neal had not been available to his team for weeks.

The last time the 29-year-old was on the ice for the Peitinger team was on January 31st in the 4-0 home win against Passau.