This news should hit the ice hockey fans in the district like a bomb: Lukas Miculka, top scorer of the Bayern league club ESC Dorfen, is switching to local rivals in Erding.
Erding / Dorfen - This news should hit the ice hockey fans in the district like a bomb: Lukas Miculka, top scorer of the Bayern league club ESC Dorfen, is switching to local rivals in Erding.
It had been known for a long time that the German-Czech, who had led the ice pirate crew for seven years, will change.
It's a surprise that he's becoming a gladiator of all people.
Miculka came to ESC Dorfen in 2014 via the EHC Waldkraiburg, and the "Lugge" played its way into the hearts of the fans straight away. He has stormed 160 times for the Ice Pirates since the 2014/15 season and collected an impressive 329 points. In the 2017/18 season he was even voted “Player of the Year” in the Bayern League. The 2020/21 season in the Bayernliga was canceled after just a few match days. Miculka moved to the Oberliga Nord to the Saale Bulls for four games and then to the Oberliga Süd to the Selber Wölfen, with whom he became German Oberliga Champion and was promoted to the DEL 2 (we reported).
The 32-year-old announced early on that he no longer wanted to play for the ESC because he couldn't get along with trainer Franz Steer. "I thought about playing DEL 2 as a professional in Selb after all, but then decided differently," says Miculka. Ultimately, his wife Stephanie, who, as a native of Erdinger, wanted to stay in the region - together with their two-year-old son Felix, was also decisive. Miculka emphasizes: “That was a joint decision.” So he will now take up a job in his new place of residence in Erding - and play ice hockey.
But why did he ultimately choose the Gladiators? “I had been in contact with coach Thomas Vogl for a long time, who told me what his goals were - and also the new head of department,” says the 32-year-old. “I want to make it to the top division with Erding.” He doesn't know the defenders of his new team very well, but he does know the strikers: “They're really good people.” Dorfen moved to Erding and has been one of his best specialties since the common Waldkraiburg time. "He's a really cool guy who used to be crazy, but has now gotten older and more sensible," says Miculka with a laugh. "I think that will fit." The fact that there will be many over 30 players in the gladiator storm doesn't bother him at all.“You gain nothing with a kindergarten,” he says.
It will be something very special for the “Lugge” when he plays against the Eispiraten for the first time.
"I hope the fans in Dorfen aren't too angry that I went to Erding," says Miculka.
"I have many friends in Dorfen and I think they understand that."
Miculka will storm the number 9 gladiators, which he will take over from Sebastian Lachner, who has ended his career (we reported).
“This is actually my favorite number, but it was never available,” says the 32-year-old, who had played with the “29” for a long time and played with the “19” in Dorfen.
"29, 19, 9 - the next number is then 0, then I'll stop," he says with a laugh.
But how much longer does he really want to chase the puck?
“Until my son scores his first goal.
He's two now, he's going on the ice for the first time in autumn, "he says with a smile and then adds:" No, seriously, I intend to play for another five or six years. "
Miculka is looking forward to the season with the Gladiators.
"I like the Erdinger Stadium very much," he says and says with a wink: "I hope that it will be sold out one time or another." Of course, he knows that this is a very pious wish with a stadium capacity of almost 3,000.
"But why shouldn't 1000 spectators come when we are playing successfully?" The 32-year-old stated.
"There's nothing better than playing in front of a lot of fans - everyone wants that."
Wolfgang Krzizok
Voices on the Miculka transfer: "Of all things, the competitor"
Manfred Detterbeck, head of ice hockey ESC Dorfen
: “There is not much to say, except that I wish him and his family all the best in private and sport - also in Erding, with the exception of our derbies, of course.
Since he wanted to stay regional for family reasons, this was the logical consequence. "
Martin Fertl, fan of ESC Dorfen
: “I think it's such a shame that the Lugge works.
I had thought or hoped that he would come back because he is strongly connected to Dorfen.
What I can't understand is that he's going to see his competitor in Erding, of all places, and I think that many fans see it that way.
But it is well known that travelers should not be stopped, and so I wish him the best of luck in Erding - except, of course, in the derbies against us. "
Tobias Fengler, defender at ESC Dorfen and long-time team colleague of Lukas Miculka
: “If you had asked me a few years ago, I would have strictly ruled out that Lugge would go to Erding. But because Dorfen is planning a change, some older players, like him, no longer feel so comfortable. I wish him all the best. "
(Wk)
