Thursday, 12. February 2026 |
Captain Patrick Hager says: “There's no team that scares us”
The past few months have brought two highlights for Patrick Hager. On October 23, 2025, he played his 1,000th DEL game in a 3-2 win against Eisbären Berlin. On January 23 of this year, he added his 600th and 601st points with two empty-net goals in a 6-3 win against the Pinguins Bremerhaven. He now has a total of 602 points.
"I didn't even realize I was so close. But of course it's a great milestone for me personally,“ says our center forward happily. What's particularly remarkable is that only nine professionals in DEL history have managed to break the 600-point barrier before him.
”It was something special, especially when you find out that you're only the tenth player to have achieved it," admits the 37-year-old.
“Because we're playing better as a team again”
Things are going really well for Hager this season. With 13 goals, the forward is our second-best scorer behind Jeremy McKenna (14), and he also has 13 assists. With 26 points, he has already far surpassed his 17-point total from last season.
5:3 | Nummer 600: Tor zum Jubiläumspunkt für Patrick Hager!
// IN-GAME-VIDEO
Hager himself attributes this to the Red Bulls' good season so far. “Overall, things are going better for all of us this year because we're playing better as a team,” he emphasizes. “The last two seasons after Don Jackson were a little more difficult than we had imagined,” the forward admits.
But: After the upheaval last summer, our guys are back among the top teams in the league this season. “Together with the coaching team, we have found a way for everyone to focus on their performance,” says Hager.
Added to this is the fact that he has been back in the power play since November. “This gives me more offensive situations and means that a few more pucks go in,” explains our leader.
Anticipation for top-level ice hockey
Currently, most Munich players can take a breather due to the break. Hager himself would of course have loved to be in Milan. “That was still a goal and would have been the icing on the cake if I had made it into the squad,” admits Hagi.
But the rejection came early. “Harry (national coach Harold Kreis) told me back in December that I wouldn't be playing a role in this tournament. That was the end of the matter for me.”
Of course, he still wants to follow the prestigious event. “I think it will be an outstanding tournament. All the teams are coming with their top stars. I believe we can look forward to a great ice hockey season,” he says ahead of the tournament start on February 11.
A welcome break
Hager has used the free time to recharge his batteries. The veteran is willing to accept that the rhythm of play will be interrupted. “This affects all teams. And for us in particular, the break came at the right time because we had a lot of injuries,” he explains, adding, “It's also great for the guys who were healthy and played a lot to be able to recharge their batteries now.” He himself falls into this category.
Champions League is the goal
After all, the Red Bulls, who are currently fourth in the table, want to go into the final stretch of the main round in top shape and well rested. This begins with the sold-out home derby on February 25 against ERC Ingolstadt at SAP Garden. Our goal for the remaining eight games is clear.
“We want to qualify for the Champions League. To do that, we need to finish in the top two or at least third to have a chance of qualifying directly via the main round,” emphasizes Hager. The plan is entirely realistic, as Ingolstadt and Mannheim are only one and four points behind with eight games to go.
Only league leaders Cologne have a clear lead and are unlikely to be caught. “Unless they completely collapse, they will secure first place,” Hager also suspects.
Looking forward to the “most exciting” time of the year
Our boys also have their sights set on the playoffs, which begin in mid-March. Ryan Murphy already emphasized our title ambitions in January, and now Hager agrees with him. "We know how strong the league is again this year. But there's no team that scares us,“ he makes clear.
In any case, our guys will do everything they can to get in top form for the ‘coolest’ time of the year. Since Monday, the guys have been back on the ice together, training. The fact is: ”We're going into the last eight games and then the playoffs with our chests puffed out, aiming to achieve maximum success," Hager predicts.
The Red Bulls in Milan: DEB team kicks off against Denmark// NATIONAL TEAM
Training begins: Red Bulls return from Italy, Japan, and elsewhere// CURRENT
DEB games against Denmark and Latvia live at Henry's// FANS