Wednesday, 10. January 2024 | PENNY DEL: Nikolaus and Thomas Heigl on the ice together for the first time
DEL premiere: Special praise for unequal Heigl twinsNo competition between "Klausi" and Thomas// NEWSNikolaus and Thomas Heigl had to wait 20 years and 352 days for this day. Last weekend was the day: the twins skated together for the first time in the German Ice Hockey League. And it was a first for the Red Bulls.Since last Sunday, the Spink twins Tylor and Tyson from the Schwenninger Wild Wings are no longer alone in the PENNY DEL. In our 2:1 win against Löwen Frankfurt, Nikolaus - called "Klausi" by almost everyone - and Thomas were on the ice together for the first time. This makes the Heigls the first twins in the Red Bulls' DEL history.
Thomas earlier, "Klausi" on the spot at the right moment
While "Klausi" celebrated his 22nd appearance this season, a long wait ended for Thomas. Heigl, who is eleven minutes older, made his DEL debut more than two years ago under Don Jackson. Against the Lions, he was now also allowed to play in the league under coach Toni Söderholm - and received extra praise after his eighth DEL game in total: "Thomas did an outstanding job."
Highlights: Red Bull München vs. Löwen Frankfurt (07.01.2024)
// DEL - HIGHLIGHTS
Brother "Klausi" only made his debut this season, but is now at the top of the stats. He seized his chance when Söderholm was looking for a center for the line with Markus Eisenschmid and Filip Varejcka. "Klausi has worked hard. Maybe he's just a bit further along," says Söderholm.
Different types of players without competitive thinking
There is no envy among the twins. The two Heigls have a great relationship. And "Klausi" knows that he was in the right place at the right time: "There's no competition because we play in different positions. We are different types of players. It always depends on what the coach needs. At the moment it's me - but it could have been different."
Söderholm: "These are good guys"
Further joint appearances for the Bad Tölz natives are certainly possible. "Both had a good summer. They're good guys," says coach Toni Söderholm, adding with a wink: "Sometimes they talk a bit more than they actually do. Our job as coaches is to change that." The twins are - unsurprisingly - so similar that Söderholm initially faced a problem: "It takes a bit of time to tell them apart." The fact that Thomas is two centimetres taller didn't really help him. He now knows what to look out for.
It's easier to tell them apart on the ice. Firstly because of their shirt numbers - "Klausi" wears 15, Thomas wears 49 - and secondly because of their playing style. "Klausi" explains: "I would describe myself more as a playmaker. Thomas has the scoring instinct. He also plays a bit harder and blocks a few more shots."
Only in a double pack
It was a different story when the two started their careers as junior players at EC Bad Tölz. "Back then, I scored the goals and Thomas set them up," says "Klausi". Both moved from their home town to the Red Bull Ice Hockey Academy in Salzburg/Liefering. They also played on the ice for the professionals of EC Red Bull Salzburg and our cooperation partner ESV Kaufbeuren in the DEL2. This season, they have already played a CHL game for our team in Karlstad.
An early birthday present
With their first DEL game together, Söderholm gave the Heigls an early birthday present. On January 20, the siblings will celebrate their 21st anniversary.
The following Sunday, the Red Bulls are in action against the Pinguins Bremerhaven. Thomas scored his only DEL goal to date against the current league leaders a good two years ago. That puts him ahead of his brother: "Klausi", who currently has four assists, is still waiting for his goal debut. On Friday (7:30 pm), more points could be added in the Upper Bavarian-Franconian duel at the Nuremberg Ice Tigers.
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