ECP striker Thomas Heger: A couple of extra shots on goal in every training session

Created: 12/22/2021, 11:45 AM

From: Katrin Kleinschmidt

Preferably near the opposing goal: Peiting's attacker Thomas Heger (left), here in the upper division game against EHF Passau.

© www.holger-wieland.de

He recently turned 24, but Thomas Heger has been one of the pillars of the ice hockey league club EC Peiting for a long time.

In the interview, he talks about his performance, his trainers and a ritual.

Peiting - He recently turned 24, but Thomas Heger has been one of the pillars of the ice hockey league club EC Peiting for a long time.

He last played in the first row with Ty Morris and Marco Habermann - and has scored many important goals this year.

He scored a total of eleven goals in the 20 games played, and Heger also made twelve assists.

The Schongauer had once started playing ice hockey in the U14 of the ECP, then went through junior teams in Füssen and Kaufbeuren.

Heger has been a member of the Peitinger Oberliga squad since the 2017/18 season.

In parallel to his sport, he is currently doing his technician in mechanical engineering.

Mr. Heger, how do you assess your team's season so far?

I think we can be satisfied.

In the beginning we had several defeats, but they were also against the strong teams.

After that we got in more and more.

Your assessment of your own performance should also be good.

You belong to Peiting's top scorers.

Yes, by and large I am satisfied.

But I still have a few things to improve.

What then?

For example the goal closure.

I have to get even more hungry in front of goal - that's why I shoot a few more shots on goal after every training session.

And I also have to help and fight more with defensive work.

At the age of 23 you are still one of the younger ones and form a row with two experienced players like Nardo Nagtzaam and Ty Morris.

Is that motivation or additional pressure?

I think it's good to play with them.

I can learn a lot from them, they give me tips.

Say what I can do better

But of course there is also pressure automatically in this row.

For me that means that I always have to perform.

They have improved from season to season for years, ex-coach Sebastian Buchwieser has often highlighted them as a talent.

Do you regret he left?

I owe him a lot.

I'm glad I had him as a coach and he encouraged me.

But a change of coach isn't bad either.

Anton Saal also gives me a lot and teaches me new things.

What is it like when the former teammate suddenly becomes a coach?

At first it was strange because you knew each other from the cabin.

But everyone respected him right away.

It's going great with him.

He just knows how to talk to the players.

Do you have a ritual before the game?

Indeed, yes.

I always play two-touch, and you can only touch the ball twice with your foot, then it's the turn of the next.

In each round one is eliminated.

I want to win at least one round before every game.

Who is playing?

Half of the crew.

And who is particularly good at it?

I'm already at the top.

But Flo Hechenrieder is also good at it.

And with Florian Stauder you can see that he can play football.

What are your plans for the rest of the season?

As a team, we want to keep winning as many games as possible.

And I want to contribute as much as possible to it.

Thomas Heger, striker for the ice hockey league club EC Peiting.

© www.holger-wieland.de

Does the corona pandemic have a major impact on training and games?

Less in training.

But games without spectators are stupid.

And I'm a little nervous about the tests before the games.

If one is positive, we have to cancel.

And it can also happen at any time that an opponent cancels at short notice.

Her brother Lukas plays for the league competitor Regensburg.

How often do you talk to him about ice hockey?

We make phone calls three to four times a week.

Talking about the games, giving us tips.

But we also talk a lot about private matters.

Do you wish that you and your brother would appear for the same team at some point?

It would be cool.

Would you leave the EC Peiting for that?

Difficult.

I feel very comfortable in Peiting.

I would probably not change within the league.

Maybe if I want to try DEL2.

And if that works out together with your brother: who will wear the number 24?

We'll have to come to an agreement on that.

That has not yet been worked out.