Dresden Eislöwen sign top star Austin Ortega for the DEL season!

Dresden Eislöwen sign top star Austin Ortega for the DEL season!

The Dresden Ice Lions have achieved a major coup with the transfer of Austin Ortega, an experienced US ice hockey player. The 31-year-old is moving from the Adler Mannheim to the Eislöwen and has an impressive career in which he can already look back on 270 games in the DEL. He scored 108 goals and provided 124 assists, making him a valuable player for his new team. “Freie Presse” reports that Ortega became German champion with Red Bull Munich in the 2023 season before moving to the Eislöwen.

Ortega is the ninth new signing for the Ice Lions this season. He is considered the main goalscorer, as evidenced by his statistics from 2021 to 2024, in which he scored 72 goals and 67 assists in three main rounds. Sports director Matthias Roos has praised the striker's intelligence and goal threat and sees him as a key player for the desired playoff qualification. “Bild” emphasizes that coach Niklas Sundblad aims to put the Ice Lions in a good position right at the start of the season.

An exciting comeback

Ortega will take to the ice in the opening game on September 9th against Eisbären Berlin, his former club - a particularly interesting encounter for the player. His last season at Adler Mannheim, however, was less pleasing, with only one goal and five assists in eleven main round games. Nevertheless, the team hopes that Ortega will find his way back to his old strength under Sundblad's guidance. The Eislöwen have great hope in the new addition in order to achieve their goal of staying in the league.

The German Ice Hockey League (DEL), the highest ice hockey league in Germany, was founded in 1994 and has continued to develop since then. Most clubs have animal names, similar to those in the NHL. The current season will be characterized by strong competition, especially since well-known teams such as Eisbären Berlin and Adler Mannheim can look back on an impressive track record. According to “Ice Hockey Statistics”, the Eisbären Berlin are the record champions with eight championship titles – a big challenge for the Eislöwen in their debut season.

The anticipation for the new season is growing and the Dresden Ice Lions are obviously making every effort to make a visible statement in the DEL. Mitchell Roos, as sporting director, will continue to work to make the team competitive and powerful. It remains to be seen whether Austin Ortega and his new teammates can become the key to success. One thing is certain, however: fans can look forward to exciting games.