Winkler: "Thank you for what you have done for us!"
Christian Winkler, Managing Director Sports Red Bull Eishocky, also found the right words in a festive ceremony before the game against Berlin. Moderated by our former stadium announcer Stefan Schneider, who is a long-time friend of the Hager family, Winkler enthused: "1000 games. You can't do that with talent alone. It takes character, discipline and an inner flame that still drives you every day. Congratulations on 1000 games and thank you. Thank you for what you've done for us in every single one of them."
To great applause and chants of "Patrick Hager", Winkler then presented our captain with a framed jersey with the 1000-game flock, framed by pictures of his most memorable moments. DEL Managing Director Gernot Trippke and DEB Managing Director Frank Lutz also gave number 52 the official 1000 ring, which only 13 players including Hager have been allowed to wear so far.
Congratulations, Hagi!
