Monday, 19. October 2026 |
EHC Red Bull München: Patrick Hager has played 500 games for the Red Bulls
“We didn’t capitalize on our scoring chances early on and were too sloppy on defense,” was Hager’s brief assessment after the 2-6 loss to the Ice Tigers. Concise, precise, and once again right on the mark—even in his 500th DEL game for EHC Red Bull München.
Even at 38, Hager continues to lead the way not only on the ice but also off it: with clear words, a strong stance, and an unquenchable hunger for victory.
A number that means more than just games
That’s exactly what still motivates him day in and day out, even in his 20th DEL season. “Winning—still,” is his answer when asked about his personal drive. “It’s just the fun of being with the guys in the locker room and competing against other teams—and playing for titles. That’s what keeps me playing,” he emphasizes.
While some pros count goals, assists, and points, Hager counts differently. “I don’t look at those numbers at all.” But of course: 500 DEL games for the Red Bulls are something special for him, too. “It’s obviously a great honor to be able to play for such a top-tier club for so long.” A number that speaks to performance and consistency—and an occasion to reflect on what has brought him this far.
A Start with Champion DNA
When Hager moved to the Bavarian capital in May 2017, he joined a team with tremendous self-confidence. The Red Bulls had just won the German championship twice in a row. Our team knew what success felt like and had developed an ambition that went far beyond individual victories.
He recalls: “It was a very special experience to join a team that had already been so successful together.” And the momentum continued right away. Hager found his place immediately, became a key piece of the puzzle, and ended his first year in Munich with another title. “That was a great start for me back then.” It was a symbolic beginning. Hager was now part of a success story that he himself would play a decisive role in shaping in the years to come.
By the way: In his first DEL game for the Red Bulls, the forward scored a goal right away. On September 8, 2017, he scored in the season opener against the Krefeld Pinguine—ironically, at the very place where his DEL career began in 2007.
Two Championships, Two Stories
Every championship has its own narrative. For Hager, winning the title in 2018 was something special because he experienced firsthand what set us apart: the confidence that we were meant to win games. “Taking it all in with this group and with that level of self-confidence was really special,” he recalls.
In 2023, with the fourth championship title in our history, another moment was added that held a very special meaning for him. A year earlier, the Red Bulls had lost to the Eisbären Berlin in the finals. But: We came back with nearly the same team—and this time, we sealed the deal against ERC Ingolstadt. “2023 was special in that regard because we’d come so close the year before. Then, with almost the same group, we pulled it off the following year.”
It was more than just a title. It was a sense of satisfaction and proof that a team can learn from a loss and come back stronger. And for Hager, it was also his first German championship as Munich’s captain, after he had taken over the role following Michael Wolf’s retirement at the start of the 2019–20 season.
Fourth Member of the 500 Club
Overall, Hager is only the fourth player in our club’s history to reach the 500-game mark in the DEL for Munich. Ahead of him are only Maxi Kastner (597), Konrad Abeltshauser (571), and Daryl Boyle (514).
In his 500 appearances for our team in the top ice hockey league, Hagi has tallied 297 points. Only Yasin Ehliz ranks ahead of him in this category (346). The veteran is also among the leaders in goals (108, third place) and assists (189, second place). Looking solely at the playoffs, Hager even tops our rankings with 56 points. What’s more: With 96 points, the Stuttgart native—who learned the basics of hockey in Rosenheim—ranks first on the DEL’s all-time scoring list.
Goals by Patrick Hager from the current 2026–27 season
// Highlights
Still a Key Player
To ensure the Red Bulls go as far as possible this year, Hager remains a cornerstone in his tenth season wearing the Munich jersey. In ten games, he has already racked up seven points (three goals, four assists). If he stays injury-free, he’s on track for another 30-point season—thanks in part to a shooting percentage of 14.3 percent. Only Dominik Kahun is even more accurate, at 16.1 percent.
In addition, as a center, Hager wins a strong 58 percent of his faceoffs, and with over 20 minutes of ice time, he is also the Munich forward on our roster who sees the most action on the penalty kill.
The drive never stops
These numbers prove that the father of two is far from done with hockey—especially not in an environment like this. “Our standards are so high. Meeting them every day—or even raising the bar even higher—is a great challenge. And that makes it incredibly easy to play with a lot of ambition,” he explains. Because Hager loves competition. “It’s in my blood. I always struggle with games where there’s nothing at stake.”
Finally, there’s just the question of his personal goals. The answer is clear: “I want to play as many games as possible. That’s a sign that you’re healthy and still at the level where you’re being selected. And I want to win more championships.” The hunt for a third title with Red Bull Munich has only just begun.
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