Ready for the Next Step: Lucas Thaler on His Goals, the World Championship, a...

Thursday, 07. May 2026 |

Red Bull München:Lucas Thaler in His talk about the World Cup, Goals, and Summer

Ready for the Next Step: Lucas Thaler on His Goals, the World Championship, and the SummerBetween the World Championship and the move to Munich// StoriesA few weeks ago, the Red Bulls brought Lucas Thaler, an Austrian national team player, to the Bavarian capital. Our new summer signing has big plans for the upcoming season.

After a total of five years and 71 goals in official matches while playing for EC Red Bull Salzburg, the forward made a conscious decision to join us. “It’s a new challenge that I wanted to take on. I’m fully motivated and ready,” said the 24-year-old about his move. Thaler will therefore bolster our team’s offense starting next season.

And the Villach native proved once again—most recently for the Austrian national team—that he knows how to find the back of the net. In the two exhibition games against Germany in late April and early May as part of World Championship preparations—alongside his future teammates Fabio Wagner, Phillip Sinn, and Maximilian Kastner, among others—Thaler tallied three points (one goal, two assists).

A bundle of energy with a “good shot” and four championship titles

Notably: For Austria, the right-handed shooter most recently played center; in Salzburg, he finished the season on the wings in the playoff quarterfinals against HC Pustertal. “I can play anywhere,” he reveals. What else sets him apart besides his versatility? “I’d describe myself as a player who brings a lot of energy to the ice and has a good shot. That’s how I want to help the team,” he emphasizes.

He has already done so impressively in recent years in the ICEHL—Thaler, who moved to Mora IK in Sweden at age 16 and arrived in Salzburg in January 2021, has already won a total of four titles with Salzburg. “In Germany, too, I’m going in with the goal of winning the championship,” he makes clear.

“They’ve told me nothing but positive things”

At the same time, the Carinthian is aware that the PENNY DEL is considered a stronger league than Austria’s top division. “The league is definitely better. But I’m ready and really looking forward to it,” he says, barely able to wait for the start of the upcoming season.

As he settles into life in Munich, a few familiar faces will help him adjust. Thaler previously worked with our head coach, Oliver David, in Salzburg, and he also knows Sinn, Ryan Murphy, and Philipp Krening from their time together.

Thaler reveals: “I’ve been in touch with Sinner and Murph throughout the season—they’ve only had good things to say.” Of course, he also raved about our home arena. “I’ve never been to the SAP Garden myself, but it looks beautiful,” says our new No. 48 enthusiastically. We couldn’t agree more.

From the World Championship straight to Munich

But before that happens, the Ice Hockey World Championship is coming up starting next week. Thaler will be competing in his fourth World Championship overall. “We’re currently in Klagenfurt and have one more training camp this week. On Saturday, we’ll play against Slovenia,” he explains. Next week, the team will travel to Switzerland before Austria kicks off the tournament against Great Britain on May 16. A week later, they’ll also face off against the DEB team. “Our main goal is definitely to avoid relegation,” Thaler emphasizes.

Plans are already in place for the time after the World Championship as well. “I’ll have three weeks off then. During that time, I’ll head to Munich and move into my apartment.” Of course, some rest and time with his family in his Carinthian hometown are also a must. “But I’ll be in Munich for the entire summer.”

And in August, we’ll see Thaler in action on the ice for our Red Bulls for the first time.

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