No new contract

Zell’s Polar Bears and coach go their separate ways

Mike Flanagan is history at the Zell Ice Bears.

(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

After being eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Alps Hockey League, the Zell Ice Bears are reacting to the disappointing end to the season. Coach Mike Flanagan (55) will not be given a new contract for the coming season. This marks the end of the Canadian's involvement after around one and a half years.

"We want to have decided on the future of coach Mike Flanagan by the beginning of next week at the latest," explained Patrick Schwarz, managing director of the Zell Eisbären, recently in an interview with the "Krone". The decision was officially announced on Monday afternoon. The ice hockey club and the coach will go their separate ways in future. The Canadian will not receive a new contract with the Pinzgauers.

Rollercoaster ride
The 55-year-old's era began in December 2022 after he succeeded Martin Ekrt. Under Flanagan, the Eisbären won the Austrian championship, but were then eliminated in the pre-play-offs. Things went really well this year. After a dominant first round, the team from Zell was in second place. This was followed by a slump.

First, Max Zimmermann and Co. lost the ÖM final. Only to be eliminated a little later in the quarter-finals with a 4-0 loss. The team from Pinzgau want to settle the succession in the next two weeks.

"Assistant" also leaves
In addition to Flanagan, another coach is leaving the ice hockey club. Assistant coach and junior coach Jari Suorsa is returning to Finland to coach the U18 team of his home club.