The German ice hockey champions from Red Bull Munich received a ceremonial welcome after their triumph. The team dressed in traditional costume around record coach Don Jackson signed the city’s guest book on Tuesday in Munich City Hall.
“I’m so proud of each and every one,” Jackson said. The team needed “every player, every employee” “to be successful”. The title is “something very, very special,” explained goalkeeper Mathias Niederberger: “We rewarded ourselves for being so diligent all year.”
The Munich team secured their fourth German championship in the fifth play-off final game against ERC Ingolstadt on Sunday. Head coach Jackson’s team, for whom it was their ninth title, had already won the trophy from 2016 to 2018. Last year’s winners, Eisbären Berlin, did not qualify for the play-offs.
Master coach Jackson leaves the future open in Munich
After the triumph, the 66-year-old Jackson left his future open. The American was also cautious on Tuesday. “Family is always number one for me,” he said. You commute back and forth, it’s “not easy” over 18 years: “The time will come, we’ll let you know.”
There were also words of praise from Munich’s Mayor Dieter Reiter. Jackson “brought the club all the way forward,” the politician added jokingly, looking at the five championships that the coach had won with the Eisbären Berlin: “It’s very clear he has to stay at least until we’ve equalized have.”
On Sunday the championship celebration will take place on the forecourt of the Olympic Ice Stadium.