Austria's Anna Meixner is the most decorated and experienced player in her nation's history. She'll move to the PWHL next season with Ottawa looking to prove herself to the world.
Austria's Anna Meixner is the most decorated and experienced player in her nation's history. She'll move to the PWHL next season with Ottawa looking to prove herself to the world.
Austria has never been considered a hockey powerhouse, but the nation certainly has produced its share of top talent in recent years. On the men's side, it includes recent first round NHL draft picks like David Reinbacher, Marco Kasper, Marco Rossi, as well as the nation's all-time scoring leader in the NHL Thomas Vanek.
On the women's side, Theresa Schafzahl became the first Austrian to play in the PWHL suiting up for PWHL Boston this season.
Next year, she'll be joined by Austria's national team captain and leader, Anna Meixner, perhaps the greatest player ever to pull on an Austrian jersey. Meixner was selected in the sixth round, 32nd overall by PWHL Ottawa.
"It's surreal, I'm super excited," the 30-year-old stated following the draft.
"Coming from Europe and especially coming from a small place in the world sometimes it's not easy to prove yourself in hockey, so for me to be given that opportunity now, I'm going to do my best to prove I can play hockey as well, and I'm excited for what's about to come," Meixner said.
Meixner has represented Austria 11 times at the World Championships. She's spent the past four seasons playing in the SDHL with Brynas. Last year in an injury shortened campaign Meixner collected 24 points in 22 games. The year prior she was named the SDHL's MVP and Forward of the Year scoring 26 goals and 53 points in 30 games.
Meixner captained Austria this year at Worlds recording seven points in five games while playing on a line with PWHL Boston's Theresa Schafzahl. There, Meixner was able to probe her Austrian teammate about the league, and the opportunity to play in North America.
"She only had high words about the league, about everything here" Meixner said of the feedback Schafzahl provided.
It was those conversations that got Meixner excited for the opportunity to test herself against the best players in the world.
Meixner is a strong skater, who can play both a goal scoring role and serve a playmaker for those around her. She'll join PWHL Ottawa at training camp and will look to prove herself, and to also prove that Austria is a hockey nation on the rise.