Friday, 05. June 2026 |
EHC Red Bull Munich: An Interview with Dominik Kahun – Part 2
Dominik, you joined the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL in 2018 at the age of 22. How did it feel to fulfill that lifelong dream?
Dominik Kahun: “To be honest, it was a really, really tough decision for me. I had so much fun here and really enjoyed being part of this team. Every hockey player dreams of playing in the NHL or representing the national team at the Olympics from the time he’s a little boy. When the time came—and I’m very grateful for the support of my teammates in Munich—I had to leave to make that dream come true.”
How did your years in the world’s best league go from your perspective?
Kahun: “It was a special time for me in the NHL. Especially in Chicago, when I played alongside players like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews as a rookie—players you’d only known from YouTube clips or the Xbox before. That was an incredibly cool time. Looking back, I was really lucky to have had the chance to play alongside the best of the best. In addition to those two, I also shared the ice with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Connor McDavid, and Leon Draisaitl. That allowed me to gain a lot of experience and learn from exceptional players.”
Teil 2: Dominik Kahun spricht über seinen außergewöhnlichen Werdegang
// INTERVIEW
Can you think of a moment that really left a lasting impression on you during your time there?
Kahun: “I’ll never forget my first NHL game and my first NHL goal. And the Winter Classic in Chicago against Boston in front of 85,000 fans—if I’m not mistaken—is the kind of thing you just can’t get out of your head. There was a story after I was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. My wife woke me up one morning after a game and asked if we wanted to go out for breakfast together. I was completely exhausted and said no several times, but eventually I asked why she was so insistent, and she said, ‘Sidney Crosby’s wife asked if the four of us wanted to have breakfast together.’ At that point, there was no question in my mind, and I jumped out of bed (smiles). That’s what makes him special: He takes time for everyone, wants to get to know everyone—simply a leader for the entire team. I was able to learn from that.”
After your time in North America, you moved to Switzerland. How do you think the ice hockey cultures in Germany, the U.S., and Switzerland differ?
Kahun: “The NHL is by far the best league in the world. With all the top players competing there, you won’t find a higher level of play anywhere else. It was also fascinating to see just how big ice hockey is in North America. I was then faced with the decision again: whether to stay over there or return to Europe so I could play a bigger role on my team once more. Moving to Bern was a good decision. I was able to play my own style of hockey again, found my way back to my game, and felt right at home there. We were welcomed with open arms—by the fans, too. Bern will always have a special place in my heart. One of my big goals was to win the championship in Switzerland. With Lausanne, we came very close the season before last, but unfortunately didn’t make it. But I met a lot of great people there, too. My time in Switzerland was a period for which I am very grateful.”
Watch the video to hear what else Dominik Kahun has to say about his career highlights, and especially about his eight World Cup and three Olympic appearances, as well as his successes with the national team. The third and final part of our big comeback interview will be released next week.
Teil 1: Dominik Kahun spricht über seine Rückkehr nach München
// INTERVIEW
The Red Bulls are participating in the Südtirol Summer Classic and the Warrior Cup// FRIENDLY MATCH
Mit Galerie
CheckerBande on Tour: A Visit to the Red Bull Hockey Academy// NEWS
Mit Video
Kahun: “Wearing this number again is something very special”// INTERVIEW