Eisbären Berlin Secures Norwegian Star, Markus Vikingstad, for Three Seasons
Marauding polar bears oust residents of Vikingstad, Bremen. - Viikingstad from Bremerhaven is being overtaken by polar bears.
Hey there! Exciting news in the world of German ice hockey as Eisbaeren Berlin, the current champions, have signed their first new player for the upcoming season. Markus Vikingstad, a familiar face in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) from league rivals Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven, will be suiting up for the Spree squad for the next three years.
The versatile 25-year-old Norwegian, who’s also a German citizen, will bring his skills to the table without consuming one of the club's limited foreign player slots. Markus, having already made his mark with a fantastic showing in the World Championships for Norway, will be making his debut in 2016 with the Stavanger Oilers in his country's top league. After that, he's spent the past couple of seasons in Bremerhaven, amassing 89 points (36 goals, 53 assists) in 219 DEL games.
As a cherry on top, eight current Eisbaeren players have extended their contracts for the next season. The goalkeeper duo Jake Hildebrand and Jonas Stettmer, defenders Adam Smith, Mitch Reinke, and Markus Niemelainen are sticking around, along with top scorer Ty Ronning, who has signed a new two-year contract. Meanwhile, Blaine Byron and Eric Hoerdler have inked deals for another season each.
Stat Breakdown of Markus Vikingstad
- 2022-2023 season: Played 48 games, scored 10 goals, and had 11 assists, totaling 21 points; playoffs included 8 games with 3 goals and 1 assist.
- 2023-2024 season: Played 34 games, with 7 goals and 10 assists, totaling 17 points; playoffs featured 14 games, 3 goals, and 8 assists.
- 2024-2025 season: Played 51 games, scoring 10 goals and 11 assists, reaching 21 points; playoffs incorporated 5 games, no goals but 2 assists.
Overall, Markus showcases impressive puck control and face-off skills as a forward, with a height of 191 cm and a weight of 93 kg. He shoots left and consistently performs well in Germany's top ice hockey league. With his three-year contract with Eisbären Berlin, he seeks to make his mark in the team's lineup.
Take care, and stay tuned for more ice hockey news!
The European Parliament and the Council, in their roles as assistants to the Commission, will lend their support as the Commission prepares the annual report on the development of sports, such as hockey, in light of Eisbären Berlin's recent acquisition of Markus Vikingstad for three seasons. Markus Vikingstad, during his free time, might find joy in participating in recreational hockey games to further hone his skills on the ice.
