Austrian women’s hockey players threaten World Championship boycott

The conflict between Austria’s top women’s ice hockey players and the Austrian Ice Hockey Association is continuing, ORF reported. The national team travelled to a tournament in Slovakia on Monday with 21 players, including seven from Carinthia, but 11 leading players withdrew.

The team is currently taking part in the test tournament. The players who stayed away have sharply criticised the association, saying they lack the necessary respect and support, including in food, accommodation and equipment.

Association working through players’ demands

Alexander Helwig, the association’s managing director from Villach, said a list of demands from the players was being addressed. The team in Slovakia had already held several detailed discussions with officials, while the association was preparing a comprehensive response for players who were not attending the tournament.

Top players including Anna Meixner and Theresa Schafzahl are considering boycotting Austria’s first A World Championship. Helwig said the association wanted to prevent that from happening and still aimed to travel to the tournament with the strongest possible team, both on the ice and organisationally.

He acknowledged that trust between the players and the association was strained in some areas. The association was therefore working to present practical and constructive solutions, he said.

Plans to professionalise women’s hockey

The association also said it wanted to further professionalise women’s ice hockey in Austria. It has, for example, hired a former NHL goaltending coach. Another step is expected with the completion of the performance centre in Villach, which is still planned for this year.