Portrait of EHC Red Bull München new player Markus Eisenschmid

Thursday, 29. June 2023 | Portrait of EHC Red Bull München new player Markus Eisenschmid

The surfer on the ice: that's Markus EisenschmidNew player looks forward to old friends// PORTRAITAfter we already introduced you to our new players Dominik Bittner and Nicolas Krämmer, today it's Markus Eisenschmid's turn. The 28-year-old told us about his way on the ice, his family and his second passion.

Eisenschmid's dream of one day playing in Canada developed early on. From 2013 to 2018, he played for the Medicine Hat Tigers, St. John's IceCaps and Rocket de Laval. After that, the forward moved to Mannheim. Now he is finally back in the Bavarian homeland.

"I've seen a lot in my travels. I was in Canada, always played in the United States. But when you're away for so long, you're also just looking forward to being back home. The longer you're away, the more you appreciate it," says Eisenschmid, a native of Kaufbeuren, explaining his return.

Unser Neuzugang Markus Eisenschmid stellt sich vor

// INTERVIEW

Despite the move to the megacity of Munich, the arrival at the German champion also means deceleration for the 28-year-old in a certain way. Closer to family, the mountains and nature, to which Eisenschmid has remained attached. In Munich, the attacker has looked for an apartment near the Westpark. A little away from the inner city hustle and bustle, in the greenery that reminds him of home. "I was never a big city kid, but always more of a small town kid. I've been around big cities a lot, but I like the small. I think it's better if I can find a parking space right away when I go shopping," Eisenschmid says jokingly.

Eisenschmid's hockey-mad family

Eisenschmid was introduced to ice hockey by his family. While his father always took the children to ice hockey, his older brother started at the age of seven in the skating school. A little too late for a professional career - unlike the sisters of our new number 11.

"My big sister followed suit shortly after. And if the sister likes it, then maybe I will too. So it became two, three years of skating school and then at five I had my first stick in my hand. Later, my little sister joined me," says Eisenschmied, explaining his path onto the ice.

The 28-year-old's two sisters, Tanja and Nicola, are also professional ice hockey players. Both won the German championship with ERC Ingolstadt in 2022 and then moved to Sweden together to Djurgårdens IF. A hockey-mad family in the most positive sense. There are regular updates in the joint group, especially during the season, Eisenschmid reveals.

"Surfing is a little passion of mine"

When he's not gliding across the ice, he's gliding across the sea. The 28-year-old, who thanks to his nonchalant manner can be imagined all too well with board clamped under his arm on the beach, harbors a love for surfing. "When I'm on vacation, I love to go surfing. I went camping and windsurfing with the family from a young age. Then I met my girlfriend - she's even a professional kitesurfer. That's a little passion of mine. I like being on the beach and in the sun." Away from sports, Eisenschmid enjoys working with wood and can even imagine training as a carpenter later on.

Despite various passions that can be well lived out, especially during the summer break, our new player is looking forward to returning to the ice. The former AHL player wants to bring in his scoring instinct in the upcoming season and describes his game intelligence and positional play as great strengths.

Eisenschmid already knows many Red Bulls

Eisenschmid is already looking forward to the first training session with the entire team. Also because he will meet many familiar faces there. The forward already played with Zach Redmond in Canada, Eisenschmid knows many Bavarian colleagues from his youth days, plus ex-Mannheim players like Nicolas Krämmer and, of course, numerous players from the German national team. "I've never come to a new club where I already know so many players," says the number 11 enthusiastically.

The 28-year-old is particularly looking forward to meeting one of our guys: "Zach and I were sent down on the same day in Canada back then. We both felt a little unfairly treated. That same evening, we sat down together in a bar, talked and also scolded each other a bit," Eisenschmid recalls, adding, "He's an incredibly sweet guy. I'm so excited to play with him again. I remember him asking me once in Mannheim when I was finally coming to Munich." Now the time has come.