Don Jackson is completely unexpectedly returning as coach to EHC Red Bull Munich in the German Ice Hockey League. The Munich team had previously announced that the previous coach Max Kaltenhauser was withdrawing for personal reasons.
EHC Red Bull Munich is making a big splash in the German Ice Hockey League. The Munich team, their former master coach Don Jackson, have jointly decided that the 68-year-old will be the successor Max Kaltenhauser, who resigned on Monday for personal reasons takes over and becomes the new head coach of the first division club. Jackson has led Munich to all four championship titles in recent years and he will take up his new position with immediate effect.
Most successful DEL coach at all
The American’s current assistant coaches Pierre Allard and Patrick Dallaire remain the American’s assistants. In addition, long-term injured striker Ben Smith will continue to strengthen the coaching staff for the time being. “Of course it wasn’t my plan to return to the coaching chair again. But after Christian (Winkler, manager) asked me, I didn’t hesitate for a second to help the organization due to the special situation,” said Jackson.
The most successful DEL coach ever, with nine championship titles, moved to the Bavarian capital around eleven years ago. He came with the reputation of winning five titles (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013) with his former team Eisbären Berlin. With the EHC, the champion maker reached the final of the German Ice Hockey League six times and even made it to the final of the Champions League in 2019.
Back to the sporting events
He won four championships with Munich in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2023. Since winning the title in 2023, he has been bringing his experience as Head of Coaching Development to the entire organization of the brewery group. Now Jackson is temporarily returning behind the gang as a trainer and directly into the sporting events.
“I am ready and now looking forward to the game in Berlin, which will be special in many ways. We will make sure our players are ready to give their best. We are now thinking from game to game and will try to to win every game,” Jackson said.
Stanley Cup winner as a player – honor in Berlin
EHC manager Christian Winkler sees Jackson as a coach as “currently the best solution for us”. In his 18 years as a coach in the top German league, Jackson has coached a total of 1,072 games. More than anyone else. His team cheered 705 times (66 percent) after the final siren. The former world-class defender was also successful as a player. Among other things, he won the Stanley Cup twice alongside Wayne Gretzky in 1984 and 1985.
The EHC Red Bull Munich team travels to Berlin on Thursday, where they will face German champions Eisbären Berlin in the evening. At his old place of work, Jackson is first honored with a banner ceremony, then he coaches his Red Bulls team against Berlin.
Source: BR24Sport on the radio January 22, 2025 – 12:55 p.m
