Wednesday, 18. September 2024 | Toni Söderholm in an interview before the DEL opener
Toni Söderholm ahead of the DEL opener: “The boys know what it's all about”Interview with the Red Bulls coach// INTERVIEWIt's getting serious! EHC Red Bull München starts the 31st PENNY DEL season on Friday. Coach Toni Söderholm talked about the current state of his team and explains what will be important in the coming months.Toni, the start of the season is just around the corner. What was the focus of your preparations?
Toni Söderholm: "We had two goals at the start. Firstly, our forecheck and secondly, working in the defensive zone. And things are already looking pretty good for this early stage of the season. We will now develop some other elements of our game step by step. It's an ongoing process that simply takes time. In terms of mentality, though, we're doing well. The boys know what it's all about."
How far along is the team already, what are you currently working on?
Söderholm: "If you analyze the number of scoring chances and the time spent in the offensive zone, we're still lacking that final punch. We still need to loosen up and be more creative in attack. The special teams also play a key role. We need to improve here too."
Taro Hirose is another new striker following the injury to Trevor Parkes. What kind of player can we look forward to?
Söderholm: "We started working with him on Monday. He's a rather quiet character, but when he's on the ice, he's on fire. Taro also has a lot of vision and wit, which is exactly what we need in five-on-five and on the power play. He also has experience from the two strongest leagues in North America."
Dominik Bittner is out for the start of the season. What impact does that have on your plans in defense?
Söderholm: "Dominik has had a long rehab and was on a good path. But he'll also have to fight his way back now. Instead, another player will now be given a bit more responsibility, especially when we're short-handed. Because we also really like having Bits on the ice."
This is your second season as coach of the Red Bulls. Does your experience from last season help you?
Söderholm: "Yes, it does. Compared to last season, there weren't that many new guys. So we've gotten to know most of the players, how they deal with victories and defeats. This gives us more time to work and we coaches know what we need to focus on in particular. I always say: "You should learn from every year, but don't take the baggage with you."
That's a good keyword. Patrick Hager has said that you want to take the atmosphere from the Olympic Ice Stadium into the SAP Garden. What goals have you set yourselves for the first year in our new home?
Söderholm: "We're thinking from game to game and from block to block again. But we don't want to lose sight of the big picture, we want to be top. The whole organization should really have no other goal. That's the aspiration for everyone here."
Maximilian Kastner tests the ice in our new living room
// SAP GARDEN
On the first DEL weekend, you're away to the Iserlohn Roosters and the Löwen Frankfurt. How do you rate both opponents?
Söderholm: "Two challenges await us at the start in two emotional and loud ice rinks. Frankfurt are playing a bit more aggressively under Tom Rowe so far and the Iserlohn Roosters have a more stable team on paper than last year. I assume that they have developed. But I think that applies to the whole league again. That's why we need a consistent performance from every player. And then, of course, we want to get off to a good start."
Secure your home game tickets now!
After the already sold-out Grand Opening on September 27 against the Buffalo Sabres and the DEL debut in the SAP Garden against the Grizzlys Wolfsburg (tickets also sold out), you can experience the Red Bulls live at home again from October 4.
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