Wednesday, 06. August 2025 | EHC Red Bull München: “Who are you?” with Philipp Krening – Player profile
Philipp Krening: The young “returnee” with a collection of titles“Who are you?” - the new portrait series of the Red Bulls// PORTRAIT Our new series “Who are you?” continues with Philipp Krening. The youngster, who has already played for the Red Bulls, really took off last season and brings a lot of confidence with him to Munich.The location for our introductory interview with Krening could hardly have been better: the Red Bull Gaming Garden in our living room. “I always enjoy playing a round or two of Fortnite with friends in the evening,” reveals the young forward. “Even though I'm not really a gamer,” he adds. But the 21-year-old prefers being on the ice to virtual worlds anyway.
Breakthrough in Salzburg
And this is where Krening spent a lot of time last season, playing for EC Red Bull Salzburg. In a total of 43 competitive games, the left-handed shooter contributed four goals and seven assists to the club's fourth consecutive championship title. Krening has been in the lineup for the last three years, so in May of this year, he completed his personal title hat trick. In game two of the final series against EC-KAC from Klagenfurt, he even scored a goal.
His career highlight to date is clear: “Last year's title with Salzburg was an incredible feeling that will remain in my memory forever. I played most of the games and played the entire season,” Krening recalls proudly.
Episode 4 – “Who are you?” with Philipp Krening
// PORTRAIT
Following in Dominik Kahun's footsteps
Did a good friend unknowingly help him in one situation or another? It's possible. In his younger years, Krening learned a lot from a certain player who was active in the DEL at the time. “I would say Dominik Kahun, who was always in the news,” he reveals. An interesting parallel: Kahun (now with Lausanne HC) can also look back on a title hat trick. From 2016 to 2018, the forward was a key factor in three consecutive Munich championships.
But NHL superstar Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning) has also made a big impression on him. “I've always looked up to him,” says Krening. He also learned a great deal from Thomas Raffl, a long-time teammate. The 39-year-old veteran still captains both Salzburg and the Austrian national team. “He's still incredibly fit for his age. It's unbelievable how hard he works, both on and off the ice,” says Krening, clearly impressed.
He is also absolutely convinced of a new signing from Munich. His name? Ryan Murphy. “An incredible skater, he definitely has what it takes!” he enthuses. But our new defender will surely be able to tell us more about that in one of the next editions of “Who are you?”
The path to the Red Bull Ice Hockey Academy
Krening will not only continue to play with Murphy in the future, but also with Phillip Sinn. The young defenseman also moved from Salzburg to the Bavarian capital in April. In 2018, the duo, who are almost the same age, joined the Red Bull Ice Hockey Academy together.
Krening, who was born in Weingarten and joined our organization at the age of 14 from his youth team EV Ravensburg, remembers it well. "It's not easy at first because you're away from your parents and friends. But over time, everyone at the academy helped you, the educators or the coaches on the ice. You could learn something from everyone. It was an incredible time," he sums up.
“There is no other goal”
It is no coincidence that Krening and Sinn's careers over the past seven years have been almost identical. Both played their first DEL games for us in the 2022/23 season, and Krening even celebrated his first goal in a Munich jersey with the Iserlohn Roosters. He made his debut in an away game against the Kölner Haie at the Lanxess Arena.
And it is precisely here that the Red Bulls will play their opening game of the 2025/26 DEL season on September 12. As in the past, Krening will continue to wear the number 79 jersey. A good omen? “I'm incredibly excited and can hardly wait. Our goal is clear: the title. There is no other goal,” he makes clear.
Meeting Cristiano Ronaldo? “That would be awesome.”
No one knows better than Cristiano Ronaldo how to win trophies in sport. So it's no surprise that Krening would love to meet the exceptional footballer. “Because he's one of the best players in the world. To be able to chat with him or maybe go out for a bite to eat would be amazing,” Krening reveals with a laugh.
After all, he was able to watch the Portuguese star live in action during the summer break. CR7 led his home country to the Nations League title in June. Both the semi-final against Germany and the final against Spain took place at the Allianz Arena in Munich. “I saw the games live. Seeing Cristiano Ronaldo was an incredible experience,” he admits. Side fact: Ronaldo also scored a goal in both games.
It's on again!
From bandy hockey to ice hockey
Krening's father was also active on the green turf in his day. However, the playing field was frozen and instead of a ball, players chased after a puck. It sounds exciting, yet somehow quite unfamiliar. “Because my father used to play bandy hockey in Russia, he took me along to public skating sessions,” Krening recalls of his early days.
Wait, bandy hockey? “You play more or less on a soccer field. There are handball goals and different sticks. The pace is brutal, but it’s also a lot of fun,” he explains.
Brothers take the next step together
Incidentally, his 18-year-old brother Robin, with whom he is in daily contact, was also a member of the Red Bull Ice Hockey Academy on the Bavarian-Austrian border in Liefering until this year. At the end of July, the defenseman moved to Devils Ulm/Neu-Ulm in the Bayernliga. “I think I'm a little more ambitious. But he's doing his thing and I'm doing mine. We look out for each other and have a very good relationship. And he gets the occasional tip from me,” says his big brother. So a new chapter in their careers is now beginning for both of them.
Mit Galerie
Medical tests: Everything you need to know about the examinations before starting training// CURRENT
Second ticket pre-sale phase has started// CURRENT
Mit Video
Family man Brady Ferguson: The pro from the shopping mall// PORTRAIT