The celebrations surrounding winning their twelfth DEL title have only just begun, and the Eisbären Berlin have already had to cope with two farewells. Master coach Serge Aubin is heading towards Switzerland, national player Marcel Noebels is about to move to Cologne.
- Master trainer Serge Aubin leaves Eisbären
- After five DEL titles with the Eisbären, he moved to Switzerland
- National player Marcel Noebels will also move
One day after defending their title in the DEL, the Eisbären Berlin announced the departure of their team Master trainer Serge Aubin announced. The Canadian, who led the Berliners to five championships in the last six years, will be the new head coach of SC Bern in the Swiss National League.
“After all these successful years, I had the feeling that I wanted to take on a new challenge. That’s why I decided to take this step,” the 51-year-old is quoted in the club’s statement.
Since 2019, Aubin has been the head coach of the capital club in 420 DEL games, of which the Eisbären won 265 games. In 2022 he was named DEL Coach of the Year. “It was a blessing for me to be with this group,” said the Canadian on Monday upon returning from the win fifth final game in Mannheim the rbb. He now wants to use the week to spend as much quality time as possible with the team.
“The next chapter will be a great challenge, but nothing will ever be able to replace Berlin,” said Aubin. During his active time he played for Genève-Servette HC and Fribourg-Gottéron, among others. He also worked as a trainer in Switzerland, but was fired from the ZSC Lions in Zurich in 2019.
“He is one of the best and most successful coaches in Eisbären history,” said Eisbären managing director Stéphane Richer, paying tribute to the outgoing coach. Due to his services to the Polar Bears, the decision was made to comply with Aubin’s request for a change. “We will now calmly analyze the new situation. We have a very good coaching team and will find the right head coach for the Eisbären,” said Richer.
Noebels also announces his farewell
National player Marcel Noebels will also be leaving the Eisbären after twelve years. After winning his fifth championship, he said goodbye to the capital with emotional words. “For me, the final series is very emotional. Of course, I knew in the end that the last game would come. Nevertheless, I don’t think there could have been a better farewell for me,” said Noebels on Sunday.
He originally planned to end his career in Berlin. “Of course I would have liked to have stayed here for many, many more years. But sometimes in life there are things that change or things that you don’t plan for. But when one door closes, another opens.” The polar bears have not yet commented on Noebel’s departure.
The path should lead to Cologne
According to media reports, the striker, who is… decisive fifth game who prepared two goals in the 4-1 win in Mannheim, join the Kölner Haien. Despite the sadness, he came to a clear conclusion: “I would do it that way again.”
The 34-year-old vice world champion in 2023 admitted that it was difficult for him to say goodbye. “It’s sad because I’m losing good friends or teammates,” said Noebels, who now wants to start discussions with national coach Harold Kreis and decide whether to take part in the World Cup in Switzerland.
Broadcast: rbb24 Inforadio, May 4th, 2026, 3:15 p.m
Audio: rbb24 Inforadio, May 4th, 2026, Jens-Christian Gussmann
