Training begins: Red Bulls return from Italy, Japan, and elsewhere
Tuesday, 10. February 2026 |

Red Bulls: Training resumes after the break - Players discuss their vacations

Training begins: Red Bulls return from Italy, Japan, and elsewhere// CURRENTAfter a break of almost two weeks, the EHC Red Bull Munich professionals have been back on the ice together since Monday. We'll tell you how our guys spent their time off and who is currently filling the vacant positions in the team.
It is an absolutely exceptional situation that, in the middle of the season, just a few games before the hot playoff phase, there is a little time to regenerate. The world's biggest winter sports event in Milan is currently making this possible – at least for most of our players.
Five Red Bulls in Milan
Five of our guys answered national coach Harold Kreis' call to Italy. Our goalie Mathias Niederberger, defenseman Fabio Wagner, and forward Tobias Rieder will remain in Milan until February 22 and are an important part of the German squad at the tournament.
For Yasin Ehliz and Maxi Kastner, it was time to say goodbye to the DEB team after Friday's spectacular opening ceremony. The duo had supported the team before the NHL players arrived at the training camp in Bolzano, including with an assist each in the test match against Italy (4:3). The two forwards can now enjoy a few more days of vacation.
Bild Italien
Source: DEB
Vacationers make the most of their days off
Much of our team has already done so. “I vacationed in Tenerife and then went to Milan to watch sports,” reveals Dillon Heatherington. Taro Hirose also combined Tenerife and Italy in recent weeks, with our top scorer opting for a detour to Rome. Italy was a very popular destination: Brady Ferguson relaxed there with his wife and children, while Ville Pokka took a break in the Dolomites with his fiancée and dog.
Two of our pros headed for warmer climes for a few days. Philipp Krening and Konrad Abeltshauser both flew to Dubai. “Sun, beach, and water slides. That's what my break looked like,” says Abeltshauser, summarizing his family vacation.
The captain celebrates Carnival – special destinations for Fontaine and Eisenschmid
Our captain Patrick Hager brought the sun home with him. "I stayed at home with my family and celebrated Carnival. Our motto this year was ‘Mexico and Brazil’. That was fitting,“ explains our captain with a grin. Max Daubner and Klausi Heigl also enjoyed a quiet break at home. Ryan Murphy had a slightly longer ”journey home“: ”I was in Canada, where I picked up my family and brought them back to Munich with me."
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“10 years as German champions”: The Red Bulls' third jersey
Gabriel Fontaine and Markus Eisenschmid had other extraordinary destinations on their itinerary. While the latter relaxed while surfing in the South African capital of Cape Town, Fontaine took time for sightseeing. “I was in Japan. I visited a total of five different cities to get to know and enjoy the culture, food, and landscape,” said our number 97.
Three youngsters gain playing experience in the DEL2
On February 25, the Red Bulls will be back in action in the PENNY DEL. We will host third-placed ERC Ingolstadt for a sold-out derby at the SAP Garden. It's a game that requires good preparation – and that's exactly what we're getting. Our boys have been back on the ice together since Monday and are receiving support.
In addition to our Milan trio of Niederberger, Wagner, and Rieder, as well as the two camp participants Ehliz and Kastner, three other guys are also missing: Rio Kaiser, Vadim Schreiner, and Phillip Sinn. The youngsters are currently helping ESV Kaufbeuren in their fight to stay in the DEL2, which is not on break.
Vadim Schreiner
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Rio Kaiser
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Phillip Sinn
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The Munich Trio in Kaufbeuren
Reinforcements from SC Riessersee and the Red Bull Ice Hockey Academy
To this end, the coaching team led by our head coach Oliver David has brought in reinforcements for the current week. Leon Neiger (21 | forward), Johannes Steinhübl (18 | forward), and Lenny Elwig (19 | defenseman) are coming to Munich from Oberliga club SC Riessersee. The latter name may ring a bell for some. Lenny is the son of former Munich goalie and current Berlin goalie coach Sebastian Elwig.
In addition, Cedrik Wijacki (19 | defender), Daniil Sladkov (17 | forward), Nikolai Hartmann (16 | forward) and Noel Lußnig (16 | forward), three promising talents from the Red Bull Ice Hockey Academy in Salzburg, will be getting a taste of professional hockey in the coming days.
The Red Bulls in Milan: Between training camp and opening ceremony
The Red Bulls in Milan: Between training camp and opening ceremony// NATIONAL TEAM
DEB games against Denmark and Latvia live at Henry's
DEB games against Denmark and Latvia live at Henry's// FANS
“10 years as German champions”: This is our official third jersey.
Mit Galerie
“10 years as German champions”: This is our official third jersey.// JERSEY