Thursday, 18. July 2024 | EHC Red Bull München: The Red Bulls' strong “playoff defenders”
Strong defense: “Playoff duo” hot for first season from the start Part 5 of our Crunchtime Player series: Johansson and Lancaster hungry for titles// NEWSTransfers just before the playoffs only make sense if they immediately improve a team. This is the case for Emil Johansson and Les Lancaster. In a few days, the defenders will start their first preparation with EHC Red Bull München. Johansson will have to do it again. The Swedish defender played more games in the playoffs (24) than in the main round (18) of the German Ice Hockey League. The simple explanation: when the Red Bulls wanted to upgrade their lineup before the playoffs in the past two seasons, the choice fell on the man from Växjö. He repaid the trust with performance - and became German champion in his very first season with the Red Bulls.
Quality makes everything easier
“It doesn't take me long to settle in,” says Johansson. His quality helps him to adapt quickly to new demands. The robust yet agile defender has everything a modern two-way defender needs: he is an excellent skater, aggressive in tackles and plays precise and hard build-up passes.
“My style of play fits very well with the system we play here with the Red Bulls,” says Johansson. Coach Toni Söderholm agrees, and was not surprised at how quickly Johansson has settled in. Söderholm is happy that our number 57 is now playing permanently in Munich. And the Swede is also happy: “I'll be honest: it's easier to be with the team from the start of the season.”
AHL, Finland and a lot of Sweden
Johansson spent the majority of his career in his home country. He was able to play for the Tre Kronor, the national team of the hockey-loving Swedes. He played three years in the North American AHL. The past three seasons he started in Finland's first league.
Emil und Les - zwei Skate-Virtuosen mit Scorer-Qualitäten
// HIGHLIGHTS
Crowd favorite in the cool north
There he played against Lancaster, with whom he now defends in Munich. The 29-year-old US boy started the last three seasons at Finnish club Ilves Tampere. The crowd loved Lancaster - never before have we received more congratulations from the fans of the former club when a new signing was made. Shortly before the start of the final DEL playoffs, the defensive specialist joined the Red Bulls. Nine main round games were enough to make his first mark. He played all nine games in the playoffs.
Space interpreter in defense
The strong defender impressed right away in Munich. Also thanks to his experience in Finland. There he got to know the larger ice surface. Lancaster shines with a great overview. He sees spaces on the ice that others do not. His precise passing allows him to get teammates into good shooting positions. In the 2022/23 season, he was the best defenseman in the Finnish league in terms of points.
Johansson: “Strong team, high expectations”
However, the US American is still waiting for his first title as a professional. Johansson has that ahead of him - and the Swede is hungry for more: “We have a strong team and very high expectations of ourselves. We want to win the title in our first season in the new SAP Garden." Our two “playoff newcomers” can certainly contribute to this with their class.
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