Robert Sabolič, captain of the Slovenian national team, is parting ways with Austrian club Villacher SV after two seasons.

“The likeable Slovenian was also a top winger in the Eagles’ uniform and scored 105 points, including 42 goals, in 110 games in blue and white. With 23 goals in the 2023-24 season, he was the (team’s) top scorer,” was the announcement on the club’s website. It concluded: “We would like to thank you for your commitment and performance in Villach, dear Robert, and wish you all the best in your private and professional life!”

As mentioned, Sabolič, at 35 years of age, led Villach in goals this season, as Villach finished sixth in the ICEHL regular season. In the playoffs, Sabolič recorded seven points in five games as Villach was bounced in the quarterfinals by the Bolzano Foxes.

Still a productive right winger, it’s hard to imagine this is the end of the line for Sabolič, who hails from the Slovenian hockey hotbed of Jesenice. Since leaving his hometown club in 2011, he played in Sweden, Germany, Czechia, Russia and Switzerland before the last two in Austria.

Internationally, Sabolič has represented Slovenia – a regular “elevator team” – at two Winter Olympics, five top-level IIHF World Championships and five at the Divsion I Group A level. He is due to lead Slovenia into his sixth second-tier World Championship in Bolzano, Italy starting on Sunday.