EHC Munich kicks off the 2025/26 DEL season
The EHC Red Bull Munich is gearing up for an exciting new season under the guidance of their new head coach, Oliver David. David, who officially took over before the 2025/26 season, leads the team with a collaborative and structured approach, working closely with assistant coaches Max Kaltenhauser and Rob Leask.
David's leadership style is characterised by a strong emphasis on collaboration, with him sharing responsibilities while retaining final decision authority. This approach extends to the management of special teams, with Leask handling power play situations and Kaltenhauser focusing on penalty killing. This structured delegation is aimed at optimising team performance on special teams.
Christian Winkler, the manager of the EHC Red Bull Munich, praises David's meticulousness and attention to detail. Neville Rautert, a former EHC player and now functionary, also views the new coach's work very positively, particularly his emphasis on team cohesion and team mood.
The players have been putting in the hard work over the summer, with Yasin Ehliz and Les Lancaster among those spending a significant amount of time in the weight room. This diligence is evident in the best fitness tests since Red Bull has been in Munich. The players appreciate the feedback they receive from the new coach, according to Winkler and the two responsible parties.
The EHC Red Bull Munich will not play a single preparation game in Munich. Instead, they will travel to Switzerland to face off against top club SC Bern on August 16. Two days later, they will also play against EV Zug. Tobias Rieder believes that playing together on trips can help the team grow and potentially be an advantage.
The team will start the season on September 12 in Cologne. With a positive mood among the players, eleven new additions to the squad, and a focus on teamwork and special teams play, the EHC Red Bull Munich is poised for an exciting new season in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.
David is known for his focus on team cohesion and special teams play, with the National Hockey League (NHL) likely to be a ideal testing ground for his collaborative approach given his previous experience in sports. The upcoming preseason games against Swiss clubs SC Bern and EV Zug, alongside the Deutsche Eishockey Liga season opener in Cologne, present opportunities to showcase the team's dynamic play, bolstered by the new additions.
