ÖEHV U20 goalkeeper moves to Swedish senior team

Exciting news for Austria's young goalkeeper.

Benedikt Ošjan is moving from Black Wings Linz to the Swedish first team Växjö Lakers, the Stallstadt residents announced on Tuesday morning.

The 19-year-old was originally slated to be the third-choice goalie behind Rasmus Terronen and Thomas Hunickel for the upcoming win2day ICE Hockey League season. However, Jürgen Penker was able to move Oschgan to the Växjö Lakers, where the ÖEHV U20 goalie will initially be used on the Sweden U20 team. Oschgan is one of four non-homegrown young players there.

“For Oshjan, this is lottery 6”

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“For Benedict Ochgan, this is Lottery 6. To have such an opportunity at this time is incredible. The officials were very happy with his experience. I think it will be very good for him to have new input. He has nine and has worked with me for years and is developing very well. This move is absolutely the right one for him and we are very happy with its success,” Pinker was quoted as saying in a press release.

The Växjö Lakers are a real top team in the Swedish SHL and won the championship title in the 2022/23 season. The Lakers reached the semi-finals last season.

In Linz, another young goalkeeper will have the chance to prove himself. Martin Rieder, also 19, will take over as the Black Wings' third-choice goalkeeper.

“He will join us now and can fully focus on ice hockey, he is still eligible to play for the U20 team and can gain valuable experience,” said Pinker.

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