Austria's Ice Hockey Association is under fire after more top players refused to play for the women's national team due to an ongoing conflict surrounding poor conditions, staffing cuts, and pay gaps for their women's hockey team.
The Österreichischer Eishockeyverband (ÖEHV), the Austrian Ice Hockey Association, remains under fire and facing pressure to make changes to support their women's national team. With international competition for the team beginning today in Slovakia, Austria's senior national team will open their 2026-27 season without eleven of their top players who have boycotted the event due to poor conditions, staffing cuts, and compensation gaps.
It comes at the worst possible time for women's hockey in Austria as the players helped the nation reach the top division of the IIHF World Championships for the first time in history, where they'll play this November.
Austria's top players including Anna Meixner, Theresa Schafzahl, Antonia Matzka, Charlotte Wittich and Annika Fazokas all opted out of the international competition this week in Slovakia facing the Slovak national team, as well as Italy and the Netherlands.
Among issues the team has brought to light were the firing of crucial team staff, being forced to sleep in bunk beds and change in unheated cabins during winter, lack of per diem compensation during camps and international tournaments, and receiving leftover and ill fitting stock from the men's team for attire.
The players are not only prepared to sit out this week's competition in Slovakia, but have stated they will not play at the World Championships in November if changes are not made. Already an underdog, the lack of movement from ÖEHV, who has yet to address any of the issues according to the union representative for the player, is already hurting Austria's chances further as the team is missing key preparation events.
“If nothing else works and this is the only way to bring those in charge to their senses, I am prepared to forgo the World Championship. So that the next generation has a better start," said captain Anna Meixner, who spent the past two seasons in the PWHL before choosing to return to Europe to captain Brynas this year.
Austrian NHL player joined the effort on Monday speaking to media in Austria.
"Those who represent our country and give everything for this sport deserve respect, appreciation, and the best possible support," Rossi said in a translated statement.
As details continue to emerge, it now seems the women's national team's main combatant in the conflict is general manager Martin Kogler.
PWHL forward Theresa Schafzahl of the Seattle Torrent levelled her comments at leadership this week saying "It has become clear that those in positions of responsibility are not up to the task" according to Austria's Krone.
Schafzahl asked Austrian politicians to intervene, as the pressure mounts against Kogler, who the players have described as a "one-man show" who failed to secure ministry funding for missing deadlines, and allegedly refuses to delegate or seek help.
Kogler denied those allegations.
"Under my leadership as General Manager for women's and para ice hockey, there are five national teams. Each of these national teams has its own team manager, in addition to over 50 people in the coaching and support team. To speak of a 'one-man show' would therefore be a gross exaggeration," Kogler told Krone in a translated article.
"I don't deny that some mistakes were made. Nevertheless, we are continuously working to improve our processes."
Kogler did admit to missing a funding deadline that cost the association roughly $187,000 USD.
Another issue raised was an international match against Japan last season in Innsbruck where staff and the arena facilities themselves were allegedly not informed by Kogler and ÖEHV, leading to no available change rooms for the national teams.
The players however, are demanding change.
"Enough is enough," Meixner said. "Under this leadership and these conditions, we will no longer play for Austria."
