Friday, 12. June 2026 |
EHC Red Bull München: Farewell Interview with Patrick Dallaire
Patrick, you spent a total of 17 years with the Red Bull hockey organization—five years in Salzburg and twelve in Munich. What were your biggest highlights during that time?
Patrick Dallaire: “Every championship was special, and each one was unique because they were preceded by different seasons. I also had the opportunity to work with so many different goalies. Especially in Munich, there were excellent goalies over the years who were also great people. These encounters and working together are just as much a part of my highlights as the titles we won.”
You belong to an elite group that has shaped all four of Munich’s championships. Does one of them stand out for you in particular?
Dallaire: “The first title in 2016 was, of course, something very special. It was all new to us. We established a new style of play and culture with Don Jackson. Going down this path together shaped me. It wasn’t an easy season. During the Christmas season, we were still in the middle of the standings and then finished the season at the top. But I enjoyed the third championship the most. Because the journey, especially in the playoffs, was very emotional. Also because Danny aus den Birken had a fantastic season, which also culminated in our shared silver medal at the Olympics.”
Over the past twelve years, you’ve helped numerous young goalies develop. Looking back, who was the biggest surprise for you, and whose development are you particularly proud of?
Dallaire: “Working with the young goalies was special for me. They were all curious, eager to learn, and really made my job easy. Preparing goalies like Daniel Allavena or Daniel Fießinger for the DEL and seeing that they did a good job at a young age—perhaps despite doubts from the outside—was especially rewarding.”
Are those the moments when you really enjoy your job? Seeing young goalies take the next step with your help?
Dallaire: “Absolutely. The most recent example of this is Matthias Bittner. He didn’t come from the Red Bull Hockey Academy and first had to internalize our style of play and work ethic. The progress he’s made since then has been impressive. In my eyes, he has a great future ahead of him. And having helped him achieve that makes me incredibly proud, which is why I love my job.”
When do you know if a goalie has what it takes to become a pro?
Dallaire: “First, there’s the technical aspect. You can always work on that, and you can quickly see if the movement patterns are good. The harder part is the mental aspect. There, you can quickly see if you have a chance to reach the next level. You can work on that to some extent and help with it, but a lot of it has to come from the player himself. If you notice that a talented player works with focus and can handle pressure, then you can mold him into a pro.”
It’s often said that ice hockey goalies have a unique mindset—that they’re sometimes a bit more in the zone than others and tend to keep to themselves leading up to game days. Would you agree with that?
Dallaire: “Overall, that’s true. They have to stay completely focused at all times, because every little mistake, every lapse in concentration, can lead to a goal and change the course of the game. I’ve had goalies who were barely approachable during intermissions so they could stay fully focused. But then there are also goalies like Antoine Bibeau. Just a guy in the locker room like everyone else. You can talk to him, even joke around. In the players’ tunnel, before heading back out onto the ice, he’s completely focused again. But he’s more of the exception.”
What universal advice would you give to a young goalie?
Dallaire: “You should always remember why you started in the first place. It’s the fun of the game, the feeling of stopping a puck and also playing with the stick. The truly successful goalies are the ones who never lose that love for the game. Then it’s also easier to handle a loud arena and the pressure of crucial moments.”
In recent years, you’ve already received offers from NHL organizations that you turned down. Why is now the right time for you to take this step?
Dallaire: “I’m 51 years old now. I feel that if I don’t seize this opportunity now, it might not come around again. Right now, I have the energy to start fresh in a completely new environment. At the same time, I now have the experience and achievements on my resume that allow me to confidently take the next step.”
When you joined the organization, you were 33 years old. Could the 33-year-old Patrick Dallaire have imagined back then that he wouldn’t return to North America until 17 years later?
Dallaire: “I actually only came for a year. I was just curious and found the opportunity to work with both young and experienced pro goalies exciting. And then it turned into a long journey (laughs).”
What will you miss most here?
Dallaire: “I’ll miss the whole environment and all the people I’ve worked with here, including everyone around the team. I was very fortunate here to work with excellent goalies who are also great people. I felt like a part of the club. For all of that, I’m very, very grateful to the organization. It really felt like home here.”
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