Change of air for Sticha and Fröwis – Vorarlberger Nachrichten

Feldkirch, Dornbirn A change of scenery for two Vorarlberg ice hockey cracks. Dennis Sticha followed the call of the Black Wings to Linz in the Ice League, Jannik Fröwis joins the Swiss League club EHC Winterthur.

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Dennis Sticha’s contract with KAC expired at the end of the season. “Linz made a concrete offer that I liked,” explains the native of Feldkirch. “Coach Philipp Lukas asked me about my plans. I said I’m open. That’s how it got rolling. The KAC also signaled an interest, but I wanted a change of scenery.”

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Sticha struggled with persistent injury problems in the past season. “The break lasted five months. I wasn’t seriously injured, but the therapy dragged on. It already happened in the preparation in August, in the first game and in the first change. But I kept playing for a long time, and in October the pain got worse and worse. The therapies didn’t work, then an osteopath helped me.”

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“Dennis is an interesting young player with great potential,” explains Lukas, the new head coach in Linz, about Sticha’s signing. “We are very happy to have won him for our new team.” Sticha, who has already celebrated two championship titles with KAC, is the first new signing at the bottom of the table last season, his contract runs until summer 2024 with an option for an extension.

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Fröwis, equipped with a Swiss license, moves to EHC Winterthur. The 22-year-old forward completed most of his training in Switzerland and worked for SC Rheintal, the Pikes Oberthurgau, Luganos U20, Thurgau U20 and the Ticino Rockets. After two years with the Dornbirn Bulldogs and EC Bregenzerwald, he joined KAC, recording 20 points in 26 games with the Future Team in the Alps Hockey League before returning to the woods (12 games with seven points). “Winterthur’s coach was the main reason for the change. He wanted me two years ago and has always watched me since then.” The coach is Teppo Kivelä, the 54-year-old was in the EBEL for two seasons with the Graz99ers and later with the AHL club Fassa. Fröwis: “He knows exactly what I can do.” The Finn relies on young players, the aim of the season for the club, which lost to Sierre in tenth place in the pre-play-offs, is the play-offs. Winterthur’s head of sport, Mario Antonelli, praises him in advance: “Fröwis is a fast skater with good technique and a nose for scoring chances. He fits in well with our game concept and will surprise one or the other.” For Fröwis things start in Winterthur at the end of July. VN-KO

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“The main reason for the change was the coach. He wanted me two years ago.”

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